Amos’ athletic future on hold ...as AIU takes their Sweet time
One of the biggest names in local sports, 800m star, Nijel Amos is still awaiting for the verdict from Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the case that has been going on for over 10 months, leaving the 2012 Olympic silver medalist in a cloud of suspense pertaining to his track career. Under normal circumstance, It is highly likely that Amos would have been part of the upcoming FNBB Golden Grand Prix that is scheduled to take place on April 29, 2023, at the National Stadium in Gaborone. A decorated athlete, still in his prime who also happens to be the first Motswana to win an Olympic medal, local track and field fanatics would be thrilled to witness Amos run on home soil. However as things stand, Amos remains suspended pending the outcome of his controversial doping case. Amos tested positive for a banned substance a few days before the 2022 World Athletics Championships that were held in the
United States of America last year in July. He tested positive for GW1516, an experimental drug which can modify the body’s metabolism but has been considered too dangerous for human use. GW1516 was developed to help build endurance and burn fat but was found to cause cancer during tests on rodents. Anti-doping organizations have warned athletes not to use it on safety grounds. “Unfortunately, we are currently not commenting on this issue as the investigations are still on going,”a cagey Amos told Sun Sports in a rather brief interview this week. He however has been very open to his followers about this particular case, on the 22nd of March 2023, he posted on his Facebook page saying: “Never been the one to give up and won’t start now, staying strong and keeping my head up while we still working on my case. I appreciate everyone supporting me during this difficult time. Please continue including me in your prayers for God to see this through,” he wrote.
ITF J30 Gaborone in a thrilling start
The ITF J30 Gaborone tournament is currently underway, with some of the top regional, continental and international junior tennis players competing in the event. Hosted by the Botswana Tennis Association, the tournament features participants from countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, Great Britain, Poland and Australia.
According to a press statement from the Botswana Tennis Association this week, this year’s event is particularly noteworthy because it marks the first time that Botswana is hosting two International Tennis Federation World Tennis Tour Junior tournaments. According to the BTA, the J30 tournaments, which denote the tournaments’ number of points to be won, are referred to as J30 Gaborone. In this case, the winners receive 30 points.
The first tournament is currently running, having started from April 10th until 15th, while the second tournament is set to run from April 17th to 22nd. Matches are played between 9am and 4pm, and entrance is free. Earlier this week, local players were in action in the first round. Among the highlights of the day was Ditshegofatso Bapaletswe’s impressive win against Alex Aseneta of Australia.
The Machibaba JSS student in Ratholo won the first round singles match 7-5, 6-2 to earn her first international tennis impressive win against Alex Aseneta of Australia. Some of the local players in action at the tournament include Mark Nawa, Esi Molefe, Chelsea Chakanyuka, and Neo German, who recently represented the country at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games in Malawi.
The tournament is part of the efforts to improve the performance of Botswana’s tennis players, and to help them excel at the international level. It provides an opportunity for local players to gain exposure, as well as to showcase their skills and compete with some of the best junior players from around the world. The tournament has already seen some impressive performances, and likely to be more to come in the remaining matches.
The results from the tournament are part of the effort to improve the players’ international rankings, and to boost the country’s standing in the sport.