Uproar over selection of Region 5 team
The exclusion of some local athletes for the AUSC Region 5 Games to be held in Malawi next week has caused some tension. The athletes who were dropped from the team are Lundi Pinaemang (100m and 200m), Godiraone Lobatlamang (100m and 200m), Thabang Monngwathipa (400m), Taolo Lesole (high jump national champion) and Thuto Olebeng (800m).
Chilume Ntshwarang, who coaches Pinaemang, Lobatlamang and Monngwathipa told Mmegi Sport that there was only one training session, which some of those who are in the team did not attend.
“I believe the reason why my athletes were dropped was to punish me because I asked them why they wanted athletes who were writing Form 5 final examinations to be in camp every Friday. I also wanted to find out the reason for calling a one-day camp when the athletes have their personal trainers,” Ntshwarang said.
He said when such decisions are taken, it affects the morale of the athletes. Ntshwarang said the athletes were looking forward to the Region 5 Games to qualify for the Under-18 and African Championships. The championships will be held in April and AUSC Region 5 is part of the qualifiers.
He said when pushed further, the team’s leadership explained that the athletes had sustained injuries or did not attend training camp. “The issue of the training camp is a non-starter.
Some athletes especially from Maun have never attended any training camp but they are in the team. So you wonder why my athletes were left out when others are in the team? If there was friction between officials, kids should not suffer. That is wrong,” he said.
Ntshwarang said Nijel Amos went through the same thing as he was left out of the 2010 Region 5 Games yet at the 2011 Africa Junior Championships he won a bronze medal in the 800m. He said if the championships were not there, Amos’ talent would likely have gone to waste. Sports View Runners Club chairperson, Glody Dube wrote a letter to the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) complaining about the omission of Olebeng.
In the letter, Dube wanted to establish the reasons why Olebeng was dropped from the team.
“Olebeng is the current national champion in 800m. She became the champion during the BAA National Championships that were held in Francistown in May. In addition to this, she has been providing outstanding results in the BAA series during the 2022 season and we believe that this and her current status as national champion qualifies her to be part of the team,” he said.
Dube said athletes should be selected on merit but was surprised that some athletes who are behind Olebeng in terms of performance have been selected. He said, being allowed to compete at the games would motivate the athlete and encourage her to work hard.
BAA sport development officer, Larona Koosimile confirmed receiving a query from the athletics club but nothing from their coach. Koosimile defended the selection of the team saying it was based on merit.
He said Pinaemang, Lobatlamang and Monngwathipa did not report for camp. He said Lesole is reported to have picked an injury during the second camp.
He said there is an ongoing discussion based on the current situation. Regarding Olebeng, Koosimile said the athlete’s time of 2:28.40 puts her second behind Olebogeng Segolame’s time of 2:18.90.