Africa-Press – Botswana. Multitudes of athletics fanatics are expected at the Glody Dube International School in Modipane this Saturday, where about 150 athletes from around the world, mostly locals, will participate in the second edition of the Botswana International Cross Country 2025 (BICC).
According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the BICC, Calistus Kolantsho the competition serves as a springboard to qualify for the 2026 International Cross Country to be staged in Tokyo, Japan.
The last edition was held in Phakalane where most of the local athletes participated alongside the international athletes from as far as France.
“One might wonder why we chose Modipane. Modipane is the home course for the hosts, the Golden Door Sports Agency, set up to world athletics specifications. It is a two kilometres loop including various obstacles; hills, water poodles, sands to mention a few obstacles,” Kolantsho said.
He added that it was an opportunity to take the race there for Modipane residents to better understand cross country running and to distinguish the fine line between a cross country run and a typical marathon.
“We have got a group of athletes who run 400 metres and 800 metres and they use BICC to strengthen their endurance and build their stamina so that when the track and field events start, they will be ready to tackle their races with ease because they would have the momentum from the cross-country,” he said.
He also said they were trying to support local cross-country athletes and in most cases lack the support that they deserved to be able to excel.
“You will find that if there are world championships that are held across borders, they do not have the opportunity to compete. So as the Golden Door Sports Agency, we strive to develop local athletes to be at their best to compete with international counterparts,” Kolantsho said.
He could not help but describe the atmosphere that emanated from being a spectator at an inter-country race. Kolantsho explained that the fun was in the fact that during such races, spectator points were set up along the race route, allowing one to watch closely and cheer on the athletes as they hit the top finish first. He was so sanguine when he speculated that some of the locals might outshine to claim and get themselves tickets to the world cross-country.
Despite that the registration is free, Kolantsho said that they would be eyeing quality athletes in terms of timing.
Kolantsho also revealed that this time around they do not have a title sponsor.
Within the list of strong locals he mentioned Dikgakgamatso Mosimanegape, Sesebo Matlapeng, Rapula Diphoko and all the athletes who have been outrivalling in different cross countries.
The day will be loaded with an array of events. Opening the day will be a kilometre race for the boys and girls aged between 8-12 years followed by a two kilometres race for boys and girls aged between 13-15 years. The fun will be kindled by a 4 x 2km corporate teams relay for both male and female just before a mixed relay of the similar length with the above relay.
As the day sets on towards noon, there will be a special slot for senior citizen aging between 70 upwards who showcase to the newer generation how to run a long race. As the elders leave the track, the Under 18s females will jump on followed by the male counterparts before the day halt for the official opening.
After the official opening the under 20s categories for both men and women will rouse the crowd in the 8km and 6km respectively. As the under 20s’ races fade out the senior categories will set the crowd wild as they will be closing the day in the 10km set for both genders..
Elderly spectators are supposed to pay P20 at the entrance whilst P10 will enable the minors inside the park. Kolantsho said this an international event and the intention was to attract other athletes from other countries so as to give local athletes a competition.
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