Athletes get last chance to qualify for Tokyo 2020

The University of Botswana Athletics Club and Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) will tonight host the second edition of night series. The event will see athletes from track and field events turn out in numbers as they chase qualification for the Olympics.

With each athlete allowed to participate in a maximum of two events under the floodlights at the National stadium tonight, expectations are that athletes will give full measures in the night series and possibly find themselves among those who will compete against the best in Tokyo.

BAA Vice President Technical Theetso says the Friday Night Series will give local athletes an opportunity to beat time and book their places at the world stage; he noted that they expect any athletes to grace the event. “As you can see, we have catered for all the categories of track and field, we will have two road races this weekend as well since we do not want any of our athletes to be left behind, this is one of the few last hurdles so we expect our athletes to take their chances.

”Further, he said since it’s the Olympics year, expectations are that there will be a massive turn up since athletes want to qualify for Olympic Games.“Some of our athletes are on camp and we expect them to give us a great performance.”Already three athletes have qualified, namely Nijel Amos, Christine Botlogetswe and Galefele Moroko; therefore, Isaac Makwala, Baboloki Thebe and Leungo Scotch will have their sweat glands secreting more sweat with qualification dangling over their heads. Hopes also lie on the two 4 by 400 metres relay teams that they qualify to increase chances of a medal.

In a recent interview, 400m sensation Onkabetse Nkoboto said he was ready to burn the track and will target running under 4 seconds to qualify for the games. He further said the men’s relay team is ready to strive for qualification having recently welcomed back to track Baboloki Thebe and Isaac Makwala.

“I have been busy since last year, striving to qualify for the Olympics and what’s left is to get the time right. The confidence of the entire team is good, we are confident that we can also qualify as the relay team.” Other events include the Sunday’s second edition of the Annual Cross Country Series hosted by Lefika Athletics Club at Kopong, then another one will be held by Maun Athletics Club in Maun still on Sunday.