LEFIKA ANTICIPATE RELAY SUCCESS
...athletics club aims high despite sponsorship drought International race attracts three countries
The much-anticipated Lefika International Relays Continental Tour scheduled for this weekend at the National Stadium is expected to aid the growth of the relay discipline in athletics across the African continent.
Organizers of the event, Lefika Athletics Club through Botswana Athletics Association(BAA), have highlighted the importance of the event as it will afford athletes an opportunity to qualify for the World Relays slated for Nassau in Bahamas next month and the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The former Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) president and the current chairperson of the organizing committee of the event, Thari Mooketsi told Sun Sport that, despite financial challenges and lack of sponsorships, they will proceed with their plans to stage a successful event come this weekend. “Regarding possibili
ties to land a sponsor, it is still very difficult, it is a serious challenge but we are determined; for us we want to compete, we want to help our athletes to qualify for the World Relays and Olympics. At this moment we haven’t made any breakthrough in terms of our negotiations with possible sponsors but with or without sponsors we will carry on with the event,” Mooketsi.
Mooketsi further highlighted that, to host successful relays event, a good turn up of countries and athletes competing will have to increase to raise the level of the competition, so far only three countries have confirmed their participation. “Our intension is to provide our athletes with enabling environment for them to do well and qualify for major competitions this year.