Gaborone's Star-Studded Spectacle ...as a galaxy of stars light up the city
Arguably the grandest sports event in Botswana's history is set for this Saturday at the national stadium. Track and field fans from across the world are bracing themselves for a nail-biting showdown at the eagerly FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix. This international high profile track and field spectacle is set to feature some of the world's most celebrated athletes, who will battle it out in front of thousands of ecstatic fans.
The excitement surrounding the event has been palpable, and with the big day finally here, the anticipation is at fever pitch. Spectators from far and wide are expected to flock to the stadium, eager to witness the titans of the track and field world go head-to-head.
But that's not all - the Women's 100m race is set to be an electrifying highlight of the event, with some of the biggest names in the sport vying for victory. The Botswana National Champion, Tsaone Sebele, will take on fierce competition from South African National Champion, Carina Horn, and the reigning World Championship Gold Medalist, Twanisha Terry, among others.
The women's 400m features World and Olympic Medalist Candice McLeod who will be opening up her 400m campaign. The field will also have World Bronze medalist and Diamond League Final winner in the 800m, Mary Moraa from Kenya.
The Women's 800m will be headlined by Naomi Korir, with fellow countryman, Jarinter Mwasya, and South African Prudence Sekgodiso, Habitam Alemu and Botswana’s National record holder, Oratile Nowe amongst several others.
In the men side, it will be a blockbuster between World U20 Record Holder Letsile Tebogo, World Championship Silver Medalist, Marvin Bracy and African Champion, Ferdinand Omanyala who will be sprinting towards the 100m mark.
Letsile Tebogo will go up again in the 200m category against Olympic Champion, Andre De Grasse and Olympic Finalist, Joseph Fahnbulleh. They are joined by top-class athletes like Jerome Blake, Alex Ogando, Brendon Rodney and local sensation, Anthony Pasela who will have a strong case on the day.
The rest of the field in the 100m includes Aaron Brown, Emmanuel Matadi, Kenny Bednarek and Thuto Masasa who are equally capable of delivering something special on the day so this is a race nobody wants to miss.
There will be a high level of preparedness, excitement and eagerness when local 400m runners, Leungo Scotch and the country's sprint legend, Isaac Makwala go up against Former Olympic Champion Kirani James, and Commonwealth Champion, Muzala Samukonga.
Another big name is Clayton Murphy, the 800m sensation is an Olympic Bronze Medalist (2016), three time National Champion (2016, 2018, 2021), Pan American Champion (2015) and World Continental Cup Silver Medalist (2018)
South African descent shot putter, Zane Weir who represents Italy will also be doing his thing on the day. He has competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics. He won gold at the 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships and he is currently enjoying the form of his life.
Nigerian long jumper Ese Brume Mon boast a personal best jump of 7.17m. She is the Nigerian National Record Holder, African Record Holder, Olympic Bronze Medalist, World Silver and Bronze Medalist, two time Commonwealth Champion, four African Champion and five time National Champion.
Cameroon born, Auriol Dongmo who now represents Portugal will participate in the short put throw. She previously represented Cameroon at the 2016 Summer Olympics and the World Athletics Championships in 2015. At continental level, she was a two-time gold medalist at both the African Games and the African Championships in Athletics.