Africa-Press – Botswana. A youth and junior athletics event is set to take place on Saturday at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, organised by Sua Pan Athletics Club.
The competition, is open to athletes aged 17 and below and aims to nurture young sporting talent as well as providing a platform to showcase their skills.
According to Ole Phirinyane, chairperson of the Sua Pan Athletics Club, the initiative sought to give young athletes the opportunity to prove their mettle. “We believe the event will be beneficial, especially since young athletes are often underrepresented in national and international competitions,” Phirinyane said. He said the competition would also help identify promising athletes for future national and international events.
The Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has supported the event, encouraging the club to prioritise youth development. BAA vice president Kenneth Kikwe highlighted the importance of such initiatives.
“It’s heartening to see clubs focusing on development rather than just elite athletes. These efforts give our youth a chance to compete among themselves, which is crucial for their growth,” he said.
The competition will feature various track and field events divided into age categories. For the Under-16 category, athletes will compete in sprints (100m, 200m, 400m), middle-distance races (800m, 1500m), and field events such as javelin throw, shot put, long jump, triple jump, and high jump.
The Under-18 category will also feature similar track events, including 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, and 3000m along with the same set of field events. Meanwhile, senior athletes will focus on the 100m, 200m, 400m, and long jump, with the aim of qualifying for major upcoming events.
Kikwe said BAA was shifting its focus toward developing young talent. “Most of the time, young athletes are seeded with seniors, which can be demoralizing. Hosting separate junior championships allows these young athletes to compete among their peers and build confidence,” he explained.
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