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Another doping scandal!

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has been dealt a big blow after devastating news that 2012 London Olympic silver medalist Nigel Amos and African Champion Thalosang Tshireletso of long jump are provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance.

The duo was given until yesterday (Friday) to respond to the positive results.  According to Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), Amos tested positive of a banned substance called metabolites of GW1516, a substance that is under the 2022 Wada prohibited list as a metabolic modulator.

Meanwhile BAA Vice President Administration, Oabona Theetso confirmed to this publication that Tshireletso tested positive for a substance called Anabolic Androgenivc (AAS) steroids Androsterone and Etiocholanolone.  Amos was notified of the result this week while preparing for the ongoing World Champs where he was anticipating to compete in the 800m heats on 20th July. His samples were collected during Rabat Diamond league competition on 4th June 2022 whereas Tshireletso’s result followed the tests that were conducted during a local competition in April.

Theetso explained that both athletes are waiting for the final verdict from the Anti- doping agency henceforth they will make official comment on the matter. When further quizzed on when the final verdict will be pronounced, he said, “There is no duration since it’s the test which is conducted by Anti –doping agency since they are independent, hence they are enjoying all the autonomy.”

When further asked about Tshireletso’s gold medal which he won at the Africa Senior Championship in Mauritius, he said they are normally revoked but indicated that they haven’t received any update concerning the matter as they are waiting the final verdict.  Moreover former BAA vice president, Kenneth Kikwe told WeekendSport that the athletes have the right to appeal adding that when the said athlete tests positive of a banned substance, they can always request for a B sample to be conducted.

The former BAA vice president went on to say afterwards the federation or association is the one that takes the necessary measures based on the results of the Anti-doping agency.  Kikwe cautioned athletes to be extra careful and mindful of what they eat and who offers them that food. “Not everyone is your friend, there is possibilities of set ups because of competition,” he noted.

This scandal may dim the association’s medal prospects medals at the ongoing World Champs as they initially sent a team of 13 athletes, with five focused on individual categories.  Information gleaned by this publication indicate that in the last seven years, Botswana recorded five cases of doping including the case of Amos and Tshireletso. In 2015 former world 400m champion, Amantle Montsho was handed a two-year doping ban after testing positive for methylhexaneamine at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

In 2018, local athlete Isaac Seoke (800m) was banned for four years by Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) after they established the presence of Clenbuterol in the athlete’s sample. Clenbuterol is a banned substance on the WADA 208 prohibited list.  Still in 2018 after Seoke’s ban, 400 m track athlete Lydia Jele was slapped with a four year ban by AIU Disciplinary Tribunal after she tested positive for a banned substance. The athlete was said to have tested positive for Metandienone which is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS).
The growing trend of doping by local athletes is viewed as a serious concern.

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Sport

BFA slow-stepping efforts in Wilson’s quest for citizenship?

18th March 2024

A quarter of a year ago, Zebras’ strategist, Didier Gomes Da Rosa, took a decisive step by enlisting midfielder Brandon Wilson, who flexes his soccer prowess at Ha Noi Football Club (FC) in Vietnam.

Yet, the 27-year-old sensation found himself benched before the game even started, due to his Australian nationality, despite his roots firmly planted in Gaborone, Botswana.

Fast forward to today, and Wilson’s name is still missing from the latest Zebras’ lineup for the forthcoming four-nation friendly extravaganza set to unfold in Madagascar.

Pundits from the local football arena argue that this tournament, starring The Zebras alongside Madagascar, Rwanda, and Burundi as hosts, presented a golden ticket for Wilson to unveil his skills, merge his playstyle with his teammates, and pass down his seasoned insights to the squad.

Looking ahead, The Zebras face a rugged path in their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Group, battling titans like Algeria, Somalia, Guinea, and Uganda—teams studded with Europe-based talents. Integrating Wilson into the team now would be nothing short of strategic.

Amidst this saga, a ray of hope shined through a High Court ruling, suggesting the Botswana government’s nod towards dual citizenship, potentially giving the BFA the nudge it needed to expedite Wilson’s case.

Yet, as 2023 unfurls, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Anna Mokgethi, hinted at a six-month timeline to legislating this change. “We’re laying down the legal and procedural groundwork to enable dual citizenship. This process will span at least six months.

This waiting game could be pegged to aligning with the court of appeal’s decision.

“This buffer is designed to ensure a seamless transition, enabling talents like Wilson to clinch their Botswana passports and don the Zebras jersey,”

On the V.League 1 Table (Vietnam) – 2023/24 front, Wilson’s squad, Ha Noi FC, is holding sixth place after 13 showdowns, boasting 19 points—a commendable feat for their freshman year in Vietnam’s Elite League.

Since his leap to Ha Noi FC on September 5, 2023, Wilson has left his mark on 15 matches across domestic and AFC Champions League arenas, an impressive feat for his inaugural season.

In a recent WeekendSport dialogue, Da Rosa sung praises of Wilson’s gameplay. “Wilson’s mastery of the field, his spatial awareness, and ball reception, earmark him as a midfield marvel. His strategic positioning is a lesson in discipline, a skill set our team can greatly benefit from.

“He’s a crucial cog in our quest toward the 2026 World Cup dream,” Da Rosa said.

 

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Sport

Kemoeng’s departure opens doors for School sports – BOSETU

18th March 2024

The departure of Kitso Kemoeng from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture has been met with a sigh of relief by many, particularly by the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU). Kemoeng’s tenure as Permanent Secretary was marked by a lack of progress and engagement on the issue of reinstating school sports, which has been a crucial aspect of child development in Botswana.

BOSETU had accused Kemoeng of being a stumbling block to the resuscitation of school sports, citing his arrogant and anti-engagement attitude towards the issue. His transfer to the Botswana Public Service College has been seen as a positive development by the union, as it signals a clear message that non-delivery and lack of vision will not be tolerated within the government.

The union has expressed confidence in the new Permanent Secretary, Bright John, who is expected to bring a fresh perspective and understanding of the importance of sports and culture in the holistic development of children. The absence of school sports in Botswana has had a detrimental impact on the youth and the development of sports in the country, and it is imperative that immediate action is taken to reinstate these programs.

According to BOSETU the departure of Kemoeng from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture is a step in the right direction towards reviving school sports in Botswana. The union and other stakeholders are hopeful that under the leadership of Bright John, progress will be made in ensuring the well-being and development of the youth through sports. It is time to breathe a sign of relief and look forward to a brighter future for school sports in Botswana.

 

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Sport

Will Makhwengwe’s exit halt Tafic’s remarkable streak?

24th February 2024

The abrupt severance of ties between Tafic Football Club and its erstwhile commander-in-chief, Philemon Makhwengwe, colloquially celebrated as the “Spin Doctor”, has sent ripples through the football aficionado community, given his laudable stewardship in the 2023/24 Botswana Premier League (BPL) crusade. The narrative of Matjimenyenga, as Tafic is affectionately dubbed, narrates a saga of resilience, having faced the ignominy of relegation to the Debswana First Division North on two occasions prior.

The chronicle of their fall from grace in 2018, settling at a dismal 14th place with a record marred by more losses than victories, delineates a club in dire need of strategic revival. Fast-forward to the present campaign, and the transformation under Makhwengwe’s aegis has been nothing short of remarkable. At the cessation of 16 rounds, Tafic perched at the fifth position with 24 points is a testament to an emboldened renaissance.

However, the plot thickened on the 20th of February, 2024, as Tafic pronounced the departure of Makhwengwe from his coaching pedestal via a Facebook communiqué, a move that bewildered the football-watching public. Discrepancies surfaced, with reports attributing his departure to discord with the club’s upper echelons over proposed adjustments within the technical team, painting a picture of internal discord.

Makhwengwe, a tactician revered for his prowess in architecting footballing triumphs, has been instrumental in Tafic’s ascent from the quagmire of league standings to a commendable sixth position. This leaves the footballing realm in suspense over Tafic’s trajectory post-Makhwengwe, especially after their recent conquest over Gaborone United, thrusting them into a formidable league position.

Amidst this backdrop of controversy, where Makhwengwe’s own assertions conflict with the official narrative – oscillating between resignation and dismissal – the saga unfolds with layers of intrigue. The spectacle calls into question the capacity of Tafic to sustain their impressive run. The precedence set by Cote D’Ivoire’s astonishing turnaround at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a managerial upheaval offers a glimmer of unpredictability inherent in football, though juxtaposing club football dynamics with international fixtures holds its own set of complexities.

As Tafic grapples with the loss of one of Botswana’s most esteemed coaching figures, the overarching question looms: How will this episode influence their fortunes as the season wades into its critical junctures? With the BPL already witnessing a carousel of coaching departures, Tafic’s saga adds a compelling chapter to the unfolding narrative of a league characterized by flux and fervor. The departure of Makhwengwe not only marks a pivotal moment for Tafic but underscores the perennial dance between stability and upheaval in the quest for footballing glory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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