Team Botswana’s Head Coach Justice Dipeba has expressed confidence in his athletes’ readiness as they take on the world at the World Athletics Championships held in Eugene, Oregon USA. Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has sent nine athletes to the championships that commence today until next week Sunday.
Dipeba told Times Sport that the athletes are well prepared and ready to compete in order to make podium finishes. He noted that their training was to, to ensure they are physically, mentally and psychological ready for the competition. He highlighted that the team is accompanied by the physiotherapist and psychologist to deal with the athlete’s mental readiness.
“The preparations went very well, we had a couple of competitions locally and internationally. We recently participated at the Africa Senior Championships and went back to Botswana where we were in camp. The team also had a pre training-camping in the US,” the coach stressed.
Dipeba explained that the athletes qualified for the championships after clocking the set times by the World Athletics in different events both locally and internationally. The team left for Eugene, USA on the 5th July 2022 after attending a send-off ceremony held by BAA and undertaken a training camp in USA before heading to the championships today.
Giving the remarks during the send-off ceremony, BAA President Paphane Bothale, applauded Batswana for rallying behind the team, noting that it is through the athletes’ talent and hard work that they made it to the championships.
For his part, the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) Board Chairman Marumo Morule urged the athletes to give their best on and off the field. He encouraged them to be role models to others more especially the youth.
Meanwhile, the team comprises of, Anthony Pesela (400m/4×400 relay), Bayapo Ndori (400/4×400 relay), Leungo Scotch (4×400 relay), Zibane Ngozi (4×400 relay), Thalosang Tshireletso (long jump), Maitseo Keitumetse (4*400m relay), Letsile Tebogo (100m), Nijel Amos (800m – suspended due to doping allegations) and Isaac Makwala (200m/400m/4 x 400m relay.) Among the team four of the athletes being Anthony Pesela, Bayapo Ndori, Leungo Scotch and Keitumetse Maitseo are from the Maun BDF Athletics Club. The athletes are accompanied by two Coaches, a Manager, a Psychologist and a Massage Therapist.
