Despite the withdrawal of Botswana’s decorated athletes Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Collen Kebinatshipi from the World Athletics Relays which will take place on the 10th- 11th May 2025, at Guangzhou in China, Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) is confident that the remaining team has the ability to accumulate medals from the competition.
Tebogo, Kebinatshipi and Ndori together with Leungo Scotch made history at the World Athletics Relays which were held in Bahamas last year, with Botswana becoming the first African country to win a gold medal at the competition in the men’s 4*400m race.
In a press release dated 5th May 2025, BAA regretted the withdrawal of the trio who were part of the men’s 4*400m, for what the association said was for personal reasons.
It further stated that the BAA Board has unanimously agreed that the trio be withdrawn as per their request. The association has assured the nation that the remaining team members will do their best and that the nation must rally behind the team as always.
In an interview, BAA Vice President Admin Oabona Theetso has Told Times Sport that despite the withdrawal of Ndori, Tebogo and Kebinatshipi from the competition they are confident that the remaining team will accumulate medals. He stated that the team is well prepared to take part at the competition.
“We have no doubt that the remaining team has the ability to win medals, the athletes who are in China will do us good,” he said.
Tebogo, Ndori and Kebinatshipi who were in China for the Diamond League meetings were supposed to join the entire team at Guangzhou on the 5th May 2025 for the competition.
With the withdrawal of the trio Botswana will be represented by a total of 22 athletes. The athletes are expected to participate in the men’s 4x400m, mixed 4x400m relay (ranked 20th), women’s 4x400m relay (ranked 31st) and men’s 4x100m relay (ranked 32nd).
The team Manager is Raymond Phale and Kenneth Kikwe is the Technical Leader while Amogelang Masalela is the Team Admin Officer. The team is under the tutelage of Justice Dipeba who is the Head Coach while Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane and Meleko Ndolo are coaches.
Kabelo Molefe, Colleen Lebanna, Albert Madongo and Kagiso Dibeng are Team Medics while Boitumelo Kgakole is a Safeguarding and Psychologist. Theetso said that the competition is very important as it is a qualifier for the World Championships which will be held in Japan, Tokyo on September this year.
Meanwhile, a total of seven athletes from Maun Track and Field are amongst the 22 athletes sent by BAA to represent the nation at the World Athletics Relays. Maun track and fieldteam is made up of Leungo Scotch, Victor Ntweng, Larona Mayana, Obakeng Kamberuka, Gaolape Senyama, Thomphang Basele and Galefele Moroko.
