Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) scooped five awards categories at the recently held 41st Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) awards.
BAA became the best sporting code to win the most awards at the event that was held on the 7th May 2022 at Ba Isago Convention Centre in Gaborone. The Association has won the Most Outstanding Team of the Year award, Most Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year award, Most Outstanding Coach of the Year award, the Women and Sport (WASBO) Special award and the Minister Special awards.
The Men’s 4 x 400m Relay Team was rewarded as the Most Outstanding Team of the Year walking away with a prize money of P75 000 sponsored by Lucara. The team became the first in Africa to win a medal in the 4x400m relay since 2004. The team comprised of Isaac Makwala, Baboloki Thebe, Zibani Ngozi, and Bayapo Ndori.
Letsile Tebogo of Lefika Athletics Club scooped the Most Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year award which was sponsored by Debswana with a tune of P75 000. The Legendary Female Athlete, Amantle Montsho was awarded the Women and Sport (WASBO) Special Award. She walked away with an amount of P10 000 sponsored by Sprint Couriers.
Coach Justice Dipeba won the Most Outstanding Coach of The Year award. Amantle Montsho and Anthony Pesela received a special award from the minister.
Sport minister Tumiso Rakgare explained that this year’s special award recognised individuals and organizations that have achieved many firsts in their involvement in sport.
Amantle said that her accomplishment in athletics was as a result of the support she received from different people who supported her when she started running at the age of 12 years. “I also dedicate this award to those that I inspire and I commit myself to develop upcoming athletes,” Montsho stated.
Another Minister’s special award recipient, Anthony Pesela from Maun BDF Athletics Club has thanked the BNSC, his parents for giving him the much needed support. One of the Men’s 4×4 relay team members Bayapo Ndori also from Maun BDF Athletics Club has thanked his team mates for the support which he says led to their win at the Tokyo Olympics.
Meanwhile BAA Vice President-administration Oabona Theetso said that the awards were significance recognition of their good track that came along with dedication. Speaking to Times Sport, Theetso appreciated the government for their commitment to developing athletics and for giving local athletes recognition.
Theetso has further indicated that they are also preparing for other competitions to be held this year such as the Africa Senior Championships scheduled to be held in Mauritius from the 8th-12th June. The World Senior Champions set from the 15th 24 July in United States of America, World under 20 Championships to be held form the 1st -8th August in Columbia and the Commonwealth games to be held also from the 1st -8th in England.
