BOTESSA Athletics Champs give athletes shot at international glory
Over 300 athletes from tertiary institutions across the country will converge on the second city this week dreaming of gold and glory in Ghetto.
Following last year’s successful revamp, which saw FNB come on board with a three-year sponsorship worth P3 million, Botswana Tertiary Student Sports Association (BOTESSA) now take their National Athletics Championships north, to the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium.
Set for 13 – 14 April, the sporting showdown comes on the back of qualifying rounds, held simultaneously in Gaborone and Francistown back in February.
In a brief interview with Voice Sport, BOTESSA mouthpiece, Obonetse Boitumelo stressed there was more on the line than just local bragging rights for the young athletes, who can qualify for the FISU World University Games in China if they run fast enough.
“We expect to have a lot of thrilling races as athletes try their luck at representing the association and their institution at an international standard event,” said Boitumelo.
Three youngsters, all from the south, have already made it through to the international event, set for the southern Chinese city of Chengdu from 28 July to 8 August.
The trio: Tshepang Manyika (Boitekanelo College), Boitshepo Moloi (Ba Isago College), and Thuto Masasa of New Era College all qualified for the 100m.
However, Boitumelo is confident more will follow.
“Motlatsi Ranthe of UB and Lone Mazimule of BAC [Botswana Accounting College] both ran the 400m in impressive times during the regional qualifiers, and are just some of the athletes that could qualify for the FISU Games,” said the BOTESSA PRO.
Admission is free, with gates opening at 8am for a glimpse of some of the finest athletes the nation’s Universities, Colleges and Brigades have to offer. Who knows, the next Nijel Amos or Amantle Montsho might just be lining up on the blocks waiting to be discovered…
