Dube plans to make GIM gold status event
GABORONE – Founder of the Gaborone International Meet (GIM) Glody Dube has shared his mega plans to one day see the competition become a renowned World Athletics gold status event.
Speaking to New Era Sport during the recently concluded event in Botswana, Dube said the Gaborone International Meet is currently rated as a bronze status event by World Athletics, but plans remain in place to see the event grow into a major World Athletics gold-certified competition.
The 43-year-old Dube, a retired middle-distance runner, who specialised in the 800m and represented Botswana at various international competitions, said upon retirement, he decided to give young athletes from all across the world, specifically in Africa, an opportunity to excel at the highest level and against the very best.
“It’s already a huge event, which is now a global event under World Athletics. We have athletes coming from Europe, North America and other parts of the world – and that shows how the event has grown. Moving forward, we would love to change and elevate the event into either a diamond or gold event because we are currently in talks with the world governing body to elevate this event to a diamond or
gold status competition,” he said.
In terms of athletes’ development in the region, he said the competition means a lot to upcoming athletes within the Southern African region and the world at large, as it creates a great platform to qualify for other major global events as well.
“It’s a great platform to develop talent, because the event is closer to home for every athlete in SADC,
and that was always the plan when we started. It is easy for athletes in the region to come here and compete every year. It gives them much-needed exposure at that level, and it helps them make a bit of money because athletics is now becoming more like a career in Africa. So, by competing here, it will earn them a little something,” he added.