Team Botswana is poised to make a significant mark at the 2023 World Athletics Championships that will take place at the esteemed National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary from 19 to 27 August.
Comprising a contingent of 14 athletes of eight males and six females, the nation’s hopes are prepared to seize the global stage. Among the standout athletes is Letsile Tebogo, who is a force to reckon with in the 100m and 200m events.
The skilled Leungo Scotch will tackle the 400m and 4x400m races, Bayapo Ndori and Collen Kebinatshipi are gearing up for the 400m and 4x400m relay while Tshepiso Masalela will charge ahead in the fiercely competitive 800m category. The men’s 4x400m relay will also showcase the talents of Zibani Ngozi, Baboloki Thebe and Laone Ditshetelo.
In the women’s division, Botswana boasts a lineup of exceptional athletes that includes Oratile Nowe, who is poised to shine in the 800m and 4x400m relay. The women’s 4x400m relay will feature the talents of Lydia Jele, Obakeng Kamberuka, Golekanye Chikani, Galefele Moroko and Thompang Basele.
Focus and determination
According to Professor Tshepang Tshube, the respected lecturer in Sports Science at the University of Botswana, Team Botswana holds a promising chance of success in Budapest. In a recent telephone interview with The Business Weekly Sports, Professor Tshube offered insights into the athletes’ potential and strategies.
In the individual races, he expressed optimism about Ndori’s performance in the men’s 400m, noting that he reached the final at the last World Championships. The sports scientist believes Ndori can achieve a podium finish by improving on his previous attempts.
He emphasised the importance of focus and determination in the face of the challenging rounds that athletes must navigate to reach the finals. While he mentioned Leungo Scotch as having potential, Tshube believes Ndori stands a higher chance of success. For Kebinatshipi, Tshube sees the championships as a valuable learning experience and said he would be well advised to embrace it as opportunity for growth and to get a clearer view of the journey ahead.
“My advice is for him to move around and get the experience because he is still young and has a long way ahead,” he noted. “He should not pressure himself by trying to win. “One thing that is good about him is that his personal coach, Chilume Ntshwarang, is going to be there, which is very good for him. Going to the finals would be an over-achievement for him and would be great.”
Strong individual athletes
Turning to Masalela and Nowe, Tshube also sees the championships as an opportunity for them to gain experience. Masalela and Nowe will compete in the men’s and women’s 800m races respectively.
Tshube’s advice is for these athletes to view the championships as a chance to build and hone their skills sets and understanding of international competition. Tebogo, on the other hand, has been identified as one with a strong chance of winning a medal in both the 100m and 200m events. Tshube pointed out that Tebogo’s chances would be even greater if he focused solely on the 200m.
“It reminds me of the 2017 World Championships were Isaac Makwala had to choose between the 200m and the 400m,” he said. “He tried both and was barred from another and ended up doing but he did not get a medal. “What I am saying is that if the programme allows for Tebogo, he should go for both races. He is young and recovers well, and there is a strong chance of him getting a medal in both or one of them. But if he wants to play safe, he should go for the 200m only.”
When it comes to the men’s 4x400m relay, Tshube emphasises the team’s depth and advantage. Given the strong individual athletes such as Scotch and Ndori, who will also participate in individual races, Tshube believes the relay team is well-equipped for medal contention.
Psychological support
He expressed confidence by drawing parallels with the previous edition’s team that finished 6th in the final. For the women’s 4x400m relay, Tshube sees similar potential and chances as the men’s team. However, he remained cautious, stating that various factors, including coaching decisions, training strategies, and psychological support, will influence the athletes’ performance. “It is going to depend on what happens at the games,” he said. “For example, the decisions that the coaches make, the type of training the athletes will get there, the conversations that they will have and the kind of role that psychologists will play. How these athletes perform is basically going to be based on these factors.”
Speaking about team management in Budapest, Tshube highlighted the experience gap between the head coach and the assistant coach. “At the last World Championships, the Head Coach was Justice Dipeba, who is very experienced,” the sports academic noted. “Now we have Ntshwarang, who is good but is not as experienced in dealing with senior athletes.
“However, Ntshwarang brings in a fresh mind and fresh perspectives. As for the assistant coach, Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane has been there and has been to the World Championships and the Olympics before. So in terms of experience, he is ahead of the head coach.
Make or break
“What I am trying to say is that the decisions that they make during the games can make or break the athletes as individuals and as teams. They are going to play a huge role in the success or failure of Team Botswana.”
Tshube emphasised the importance of managing pressure and distractions. Notably, he recognises the pressure on Tebogo to secure a medal and said he hopes the medical team and management will work to alleviate this stress. The sports scientist prescribed following a structured routine, maintaining consistent training, and offering mutual support to one another for the athletes on Team Botswana to develop high levels of mental alertness and physical strength and dexterity as means to navigate the challenges of a global championship event.
Meanwhile, speaking with publication from Budapest, the vice president of Botswana Athletics Association (BAA), Oabona Theetso, noted that the conditions there are favorable for local athletes. “The temperatures as the same as that of Botswana,” he said in a telephone interview. “The maximum is 33 degrees Celsius whereas the minimum is 19 degrees Celsius I think they are favorable for our athletes, its summer here so it is bound to be like that.”
