Africa-Press – Botswana. The unsatisfactory performance by Botswana women athletes at the recent 2025 World Athletics Relays has raised concerns among sports stakeholders, prompting calls for immediate and strategic intervention.
Since the retirement of legendary 400 metres runner Amantle Montsho, Botswana has struggled to produce female athletes who can compete at the highest levels such as the World Championships and the Diamond League circuit. The absence of athletes like Christine Botlogetswe and Lydia Jele, who came close to Montsho’s achievements, has been felt especially in relay events.
At the Guangzhou event, Botswana’s performance in the mixed 4×400 metres relay was particularly disappointing, with the team struggling on the women’s legs, leading to a complete collapse of their effort. Similarly, in the women’s 4×400 metres relay, results fell short of expectations.
This has led to widespread calls for urgent strategies to uplift the women’s athletics programme. Justice Oratile, a member of the men’s 4×400 metres relay team, urged the nation to be patient and support female athletes, saying this called for sustained development.
Thabang Monngathipa, part of the mixed relay team, highlighted the importance of nurturing talent, noting that for Botswana to excel in mixed relays deemed a ‘low-hanging fruit’, it must focus on developing more athletes through dedicated training programmes.
Adding to the discourse, renowned sprinter Isaac Makwala on Facebook suggested that the country’s upcoming hosting of the World Relays next year should be leveraged to improve performance. He recommended taking at least 12 athletes to training camps abroad, such as in Kenya, citing Montsho’s previous success due to training outside Botswana.
The acting CEO of the Botswana National Sport Commission, Makuke Makuke, acknowledged the disparities between male and female athletes performances, stressing the need for a strategic overhaul.
“There’s a need to implement a robust programme that enables women to reach their full potential,” he said.
Coach Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane expressed optimism, believing that improvements were imminent. He cited recent progress among female sprinters such as Oarabile Tshosa, Refilwe Murangi, Tsaone Sebele, and Leungo Matlhaku, all of whom have recorded faster times. The coach also highlighted the potential of young athletes like Sethunya Majama and Same Mohutsiwa, who are already running 11 seconds in the 100m at their age.
“Botswana’s women’s times are going to improve, and it’s important that all stakeholders pay more attention to developing female athletes,” Mosimanyane affirmed.
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