Africa-Press – Botswana. Team Botswana athletics head coach, Justice Dipeba says their mission is to defend their men’s 4x400m relay title at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China from May 10 to 11.
In the last edition held at the Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas last year, Botswana quartet of Collen Kebinatshipi, Letsile Tebogo, Leungo Scotch and Bayapo Ndori made history by winning the first gold medal for the country with a time of 2:59.11.
What gives coach the confidence that the team would do well, he said was the fact that some of the team members had being doing well in their recent events.“I have been looking at the team members and they have been doing very well in the Diamond League and other races. They have been doing very well and consistently running sub 45,” he said.
Ndori, who is one of the key members of the relay teams was in action in the Diamong League Circuit on Saturday, finished on second position, Kebinatshipi finished third with 44.63 while Tebogo finished third in the 100m event with a time of 10.03.
Dipeba said expectations were that the athletes would take their form to the World Relays to boost the team.
He said they had added young athletes such as Justice Oratile, Bhekempilo Eppie to the tried and tested team, which won gold last year.
“We also have other new comers like Kabo Rankgwe. So I think we have a decent team, which also includes Victor Ntweng and if we put him on the line, he will deliver on the day,” he said.
Furthermore, Dipeba said the women’s 4x400m relay team members had been running 53’s, which put them in a good position to do well.
He also said the 4x100m relay team members were confident, adding that Team Botswana in general had been working very hard.
Dipeba said they had been camping in Francistown and continued the camp in Gaborone before their departure to China.
The team, he said left earlier than usual, so that they could train and acclimatise, adding that it was a tough competition, but they were looking forward to see the team doing very well.
4x100m men’s relay team:- Botlhe Gaolatlhe, Godiraone Lobatlamang, Jayson Mandoze, Larona Mayana, Thabang Monngathipa, Karabo Mothibi, Oratile and Tebogo.
4x400m men’s relay team:- Eppie, Kebinatshipi, Ndori, Ntweng, Oratile, Rankgwe, Scotch and Tebogo.
4×400 women’s relay team:-Tlhompang Basele, Golekanye Chikani, Rose Ditihalo, Obakeng Kamberuka, Batisane Kennekae, Naledi Monthe, Galefele Moroko and Motlatsi Rante.
4×400 mixed relay team: – Ntweng, Scotch, Tumo Van Wyk, Rankgwe, Golekanye Chikani, Batisane Kennekae, Galefele Moroko and Gaolape Senyama.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
