Makwala doesn't come cheap
The founder of Sports View Runners Club Glody Dube says he will do anything possible to ensure that Commonwealth Games hero, Isaac Makwala (400M) competes at the upcoming Gaborone International Meet (GIM) event scheduled for April 29th.
Dube was speaking at the GIM Pula Medical Aid Fund sponsorship launch this past Monday. Pula are sponsoring the 2018 GIM to the tune of P50 000. In a bid to bring an exciting event to the people, Dube proclaimed that he wants to bring nothing but the best to Batswana. Despite being financially challenged, Dube said he fully understands that Batswana deserve a chance to witness their heroes run in home soil, in particular Makwala.
Team Botswana including Makwala are expected to arrive home today (Wednesday) from the just ended 2018 Commonwealth Games. Makwala won gold in the 400m final and led the 4x400m men’s relay team to another golden finish. Late last year, Makwala became the centre of controversy during the IAAF World Championships staged in London. He was reported to have contracted a contagious Norovirus and the IAAF barred him from competing in the 400m and 200m races. The runner went on to run a solo 200m run under wet weather conditions. After the London Championships Makwala proceeded to compete at the Diamond League. Upon his return to Botswana, Makwala never competed locally before kick starting his season in South Africa at the Grand Prix Series. “I am sure that every Motswana badly wants to see this young man who is currently at the peak of his career and it will be a dream come true to have him at the GIM event,” Dube said. Nevertheless, Dube will have to dig deep in his pockets to have Makwala at the GIM event, he revealed that the athlete has asked for a P 10 000 appearance fee.
“He is not just any ordinary athlete and we need to know that they run for a living, so we have to pay him and I will not rest until that is finalised,” he assured. Should the GIM team not be able to raise the money, Makwala is most likely to head to the Diamond League in Doha that is expected to start early next month. “Our event is more of the Diamond League and we need to do all it takes to alleviate it to the expected standard.” Other local athletes who are most likely to be present on the day include Amantle Montsho and Galefele Moroko of Sports View Runners Club. Quizzed about international athletes expected to grace the event, Dube remained cagey and said they are yet to finalise the list and will reveal the full list sometime next week. Nevertheless, the GIM Local Organising committee had initially expressed great interest in South African sprints Caster Semenya and Wayde Van Niekerk. Van Niekerk however did not compete in Australia following his recent injury.