Women poor performance worries BAA
In light of the recent underperformance of the Botswana ladies’ team at the Bahamas World Relays, the Botswana Athletics Association ( BAA) is taking proactive measures to address gender disparities in sports.
BAA Vice President, Oabona The et so emphasized the importance of scienti c research to understand the root causes of girls’ underperformance in athletics. The Association intends to base its strategies on these findings and recommendations to ensure e ective interventions.
As part of their strategic plan, the BAA aims to increase women’s participation in athletics, extending beyond athletes to include administrators and referees. This holistic approach seeks to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in sports.
To further support this initiative, scholarships such as the Zebra Fund and Olympic Solidarity are being provided to girls aspiring to excel in athletics. ese scholarships do not only o er nancial assistance but also serve as a source of encouragement and recognition for talented female athletes according to eetso.
The recent performance of the ladies’ team at the Bahamas World Relays has underscored the urgency of addressing gender disparities in Botswana’s athletics scene. rough concerted e orts by the BAA and other stakeholders, the aim is to create equal opportunities for female athletes to thrive and excel on the international stage.
Despite Botswana’s success in athletics, with notable achievements in events like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, there remains a gender gap in participation and performance.
The BAA’s initiative signals a commitment to rectifying this imbalance and fostering a more inclusive and equitable sports culture in the country. e very last time a female athlete brought home a medal from such a prestigious tournament was back in 2018 when Amantle Montsho won a gold medal in the 400m race at the Commonwealth Games hosted at Gold Coast. Montsho retired from sport in 2021 and ever since there hasn’t been any female athlete who has shown a promise of getting the baton from her.