In what promises to be a good year for Botswana Athletics, a team that was delegated to the Abidjan International Meet last week outshone West African athletes and did exceedingly well.
Nijel Amos ran the 400 metres in 45.56 seconds and came first in an individual race category. Likewise Leaname Maotoanong ran exceptionally well and came first in the female category of the 400 metres race in 46.68 seconds.
Boipelo Vike won her 400-metre race by 47.60 seconds whilst Lydia Mashila won her 400-metre race in 53.48 seconds.
Goitseone Seleka came second with 53.89 seconds. Coming in eighth position was Christine Botlogetswe running 400 metres in 56.37 seconds. Also coming in eighth position was Loungo Matlhaku who ran 200 metres in 25.71 seconds.
As things stand, according to Ipolokeng Ramatshaba, the Public Relations Officer of the Botswana Athletic Association, the three male representatives Nijel Amos, Leaname Maotoanong and Boipelo Vike who were delegated to the Abidjan International Meet stand a very high chance of qualifying for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games to be held in July.
The winning athletes are also set to qualify for the African Championships that are to be held in August later this year.
“As for Lydia Mashila we are expecting her to also qualify because we train her to run 400 metres in 46 seconds or less.”
The team is expected to be back by Wednesday (today).
Meanwhile, in another development, Botswana’s Golden Boy Baboloki Thebe managed to clinch three gold medals at the just ended COSSASA Athletics Games.
Thebe who is regarded as Botswana’s rising star is rated the as the best runner in the Athletics team.
He will be representing the country for the African Youth Games. Thebe lead an African Youth Games campaign for Team Botswana that will be held at Airport Junction shopping mall this weekend.
