Africa-Press – Botswana. Five more athletes have qualified for the upcoming 2025 Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Youth and Junior Championships billed for Nigeria in July.
The five who qualified during the BAA National Championships held in Francistown over the weekend will join other athletes who long qualified to represent the country at Nigeria.
The five include Justice Oratile who led the pack in 400m junior men’s race clocking 45.45 recorded in the semi finals.
Lefatshe Seleka also qualified for the same race with a time of 46.89 in the finals. Both Same Mohutshiwa and Sethunya Majama booked their tickets registering 11.98 and 12.06 respectively in 100m junior women’s category.
In field events Reneilwe Bogatsu of UB Athletics clinched gold in the Under-18 women’s long jump, qualifying for Nigeria with a 4.67m dive, seconded by Future Mokutenyane and Manna Tlhaodi who registered 4.65 and 4.40 metres jumps consecutively.
Junior Thomane ran impressively in 200m junior men’s race despite having long qualified for the CAA meet.
Spectators witnessed Ignatius Mosumo claim gold in the U18 shot put, achieving a remarkable throw of 8.65m.
Lawrence Magova settled for silver with a throw of 7.45m, while Prince Mmereki took bronze with 7.10m.
The senior women’s 4x100m relay team, composed of Abel Bonolo, Tsaone Sebele, Refilwe Roberts, and Wedu Matiwe, delivered a powerful performance, defeating the contenders with a time of 48.32. Matiwe’s decisive final lap capped a stellar team effort.
The star studded men’s 200m senior saw Collen Kebinatshipi of Jwaneng Athletics Club bagging gold in 20.08 in the 200m senior men’s race, seconded by national team mate Leungo Scotch who settled for silver with a time of 21.14, while Sibanda Stensol secured bronze.
In the senior men’s 10 000 metre race, Karabo Bosele of BDF Athletics claimed gold with a time of 30:02.41, followed by Wilson Othusitse in 30:04.42 and Kebatshwanetse Kagiso 30:11.53 both from Mmadinare Athletics Club.
Tsaone Sebele also won the 200 metres senior women category with a time of 23.92 and receiving a gold medal.
Lebitso Mokorofu finished in silver spot in 24.71 while Leungo Matlhaku settled for the bronze medal with a time of 24.81.
Junior Gabankgope also made the cut in 400m.
Prince Selepe also made the team showcasing impressive speed in the 100m junior men’s event.
In an interview, Sebele said she was using the national championships for point ranking, adding that she was working hard to achieve her dream of becoming one of the country’s runners of note.
Regional organising chairperson-North, Isaac Mbise said the event went well and that BAA would use the results to determine the rankings of athletes within Botswana.
He explained that the ranking were used for various purposes, such as selecting national teams and that the meet’s top-performing athletes were likely to be selected to represent the country in international competitions.
BAA vice president Oabona Theetso said the meet was important as it helped gauge the athletes strength and areas that needed to be rectified. It also helped motivate and improve performance as the meet attracted the country’s upcoming and seasoned athletes.
He cited the Botswana relay team’s triumph at the just ended 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China.
Despite criticism and lack of confidence directed at the team, Theetso described the team’s remarkable bronze medal win, as a significant accomplishment considering the competition that included powerhouse nations like the United States.
Theetso urged Batswana to celebrate the team’s success, emphasising that while a gold medal was hoped for, bronze was a testament to their hard work and dedication.
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