Botswana athletes shine at National Champs

BOTSWANA athletes stole the limelight at the Bank Windhoek National Athletics Championships which took place at the Independence Stadium on Saturday.

More than 200 athletes representing eight of Namibia’s regions as well as associate members Nampol and the Namibia School Sport Association (NSSU) participated in the championships, but it was the Botswana athletes, who were competing on invitation, who gave the best performances.

According to meet organiser Erwin Naimwaka they had an electronic system failure with the result that only hand times could be taken, and no national records could be established.

Mothibi Karabo of Botswana was one of the star performers, winning the 100m in 9,9 seconds and the 200m in 20,44 seconds.

His compatriot Sibanda Karabo set the fastest 400m heat time of 47,5 seconds, but there was also a great performance by Namibian Parasport athlete Johannes Nambala, who won his 400m heat in 48,8.

The 800m produced an exciting race with Masilo Boitumelo of Botswana winning in 1:49,4, while Daniel Nghipandulwa of Nampol came second in 1:51,0 and Oskar Komeya of Khomas third (1:53,6).

Komeya, however, won the 1 500m in 3:57,7, just pipping Nghipandulwa (3:58,8) and Kefas Kondjashili of Nampol (3:59,9) to the line.

Sammy Tum of Erongo did the double in the long distance events, winning the 5 000m in 15:01,2 and the 10 000m in 31:23,0.

FC Pieterse of Khomas won the 110m hurdles in 14,5 seconds while Hardus Maritz of Khomas won the 400m hurdles in 50,9.

Arno Swanepoel of Khomas did the double in the field events, winning the shot put with a distance of 12,53m and the discus with 36,56m.

Strydom van der Wath was in great form in the men’s javelin, winning with a throw of 72,33m, while the 16 year old Nico Horn came second with 58,50m.

In the women’s sprints, Jolene Jacobs of Khomas won the 100m in 12,2 seconds, while Matlhaku Leungo of Botswana won the 200m in 23,5 seconds.

Seleka Goitseone of Botswana set the fastest 400m time of 53,2 seconds, while Salmi Nduuviteko of Nampol won the 800m in 2:12,7 finishing just ahead of team mate Lavinia Haitope (2:13,7).

Haitope however won the 1 500m in 4:44,8, while Leena Ekandjo of Nampol won the 5 000m in 19:08,7.

Natalie Louw of the NSSU won two gold medals in the high jump (1,67m) and long jump (5,47m).