Preparations are underway for the 2025 World Athletics Championships 20th edition to be held in Tokyo, Japan from September 13 -21, 2025.
The Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has so far selected a team which comprises of 13 athletes and 10 team officials to participate at the event.
In an interview, BAA Vice President, Oabona Theetso said that as part of the preparations the athletes are participating in some competitions locally and internationally to give them exposure as they compete with other world stars.
Theetso noted he is hopeful that the team will represent the country well, adding that their target is to win three medals from the competition.
He has however revealed that their allocated budget of P2 million was not enough to cover costs, appealing to different stakeholders to come onboard and assist the team. Theetso has also expressed concern about doping cases affecting local athletes, indicating that the issue is a serious threat to BAA.
Maun Track and Field Club Coach, Meleko Ndolo also stated that they are currently busy with the preparations for this major event, indicating that some of their athletes are already on camp at Maun lodge.
“Let us wait what God has for us this time around and with Tshepiso Masalela’s form we are likely to see him in the podium finish. This is a major event and this is where you gauge your performance and preparations well as you compete with professional athletes,” he said.
Meanwhile, more than 2000 athletes from some 200 countries will converge in Tokyo to take part in the competition. The first World Athletics Championships were held in Helsinki, Finland. Tokyo will host the event for the second time and for the first time since 1991.
The athletes include Letsile Tebogo (100m/200m), Lee Bhekempilo Eppie (400m) Justice Oratile (400m) Kabo Rankgwe (400m) and Oratile Nowe (800m). Amongst them seven athletes are from Maun Track and Field Club, and those include Bayapo Ndori (400m), Leungo Scotch (400m), Victor Ntweng (400MH), Kemorena Tisang (400MH), Tshepiso Masalela (800m), Kethobogile Haingura (800m) and Tumo Nkape (800m).
The selected team’s officials are Keamogetse Rancholo (Team Leader), Tebatso Omphithetse (Technical Manager), Larona Koosimile (Team Admin Officer), Aldrin Majaye (Massage Therapist), Colleen Lebanna (Physiotherapist), Clement Gaothuse (Physiotherapist) and Gaorekwe Lebane (Psychologist). Chilume Ntshwarang has been appointed as Head Coach while Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane and Johnson Kubisa are team coaches.
