11 Mar 2025

Africa track and field journalists have put their weight behind Botswana’s intentions to host the 2026 World Athletics Relays.

Botswana Athletics Association vice president, Oabona Theetso told BOPA that the association had presented a preliminary bid to World Athletics, adding that the second presentation would be done this week.

In that regard Africa journalists are of the view that Botswana is better placed to host and deliver a successful event.

Ghana journalist of Joy News, Muftawu Nabila Abdulai, said Botswana’s recent bid presents a historic opportunity, not only to bring the competition to the African continent for the first time, but also to reward a nation that was rapidly becoming a powerhouse in athletics.

He said for a sport that prides itself on inclusivity and global representation, World Athletics has yet to honour Africa with hosting rights for its prestigious relay event.

This absence, he said, was increasingly glaring, given the continent’s vast contribution to athletics in talent, passion, and audience.

Abdulai said hosting the World Relays in Botswana would symbolise a shift towards genuine global balance.

He said it would be a clear message that Africa was not just a supplier of talent but also a viable destination for world-class sporting events.

He said Botswana had in recent years grown into a formidable force in track and field, especially in sprint events - a core feature of the world relays. The nation has produced standout athletes like Isaac Makwala, Baboloki Thebe, and Letsile Tebogo, who have all competed and won on the international stage.

“Tebogo, in particular, has emerged as a global sprinting star, capturing attention with his performances at the World Championships and Diamond League meets,” he said.

He said this success had fuelled massive interest in athletics across the country. Therefore, hosting the World Relays would leverage this momentum and give the sport an even stronger foothold in Southern Africa.

“This nation has also hosted Botswana Golden Grand Prix, a World Athletics Continental Tour event, with efficiency and professionalism,” he said. 

Moreover, he said, Botswana’s government has consistently shown strong support for sports development.

Abdulai said the Ministry of Sport and Arts, along with the Botswana Athletics Association, had actively pushed for international engagement.

“Their bid to host the World Relays is backed not just by logistics, but by political will and financial commitment,” he said. “Because Africa deserves a place at the table. Because Botswana has earned it—on the track and off it.”

He said awarding the 2026 World Relays to Botswana would not just be a nod to equity and progress; it would be a bold step forward for global athletics. World Athletics has an opportunity to make history—Botswana is ready to deliver it.

Kenyan freelance journalist and sports media operations consultant, formerly managing editor for Sports at Kenya’s Nation Media Group, Elias Makori, said: “It’s time for Africa. The World Athletics Relays is not about Botswana, it’s an African bid,”

Makori said Botswana earned its rightful place as a force in global sprints as epitomised by the exploits of its Olympic champions.

“The amazing Letsile Tebogo, and other great sprinters before him like Isaac Makwala, Fanuel Kenosi, Bayapo Ndori, and Baboloki Thebe is a clear indication that Botswana is a force to be reckoned with,” he said.

Makori said bringing the competition to Gaborone would spur the resurgence of sprints not only in Botswana alone, but in Africa as a whole.

He pointed out that Africa had  produced sprints stars such as Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, Cote d’Ivoire’s Marie-Jose Ta Lou, South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Esseme and a host of other greats, including legends like Frankie Fredericks of Namibia, Mozambique’s Maria Mutola and Senegal’s Amy Mbacké Thiam.

Furthermore, he said, Botswana’s organisational acumen was not in doubt with the presence of a Continental Tour Gold meeting and an impeccable venue a major boost for the bid.

“Also, the nation’s overwhelming spectator interest in the sport, and immense love for track and field, cannot be questioned,” he said.

Above all, Makori said, the Botswana government had been extremely supportive to sport, with such guarantees necessary for the development of athletics, especially at a time the country is under the stewardship of a young, vibrant leader in President Advocate Duma Boko.

“Finally, interest in the sport from sponsors will make the hosting of the World Athletics Relays financially viable,” he said.

SABC Radio journalist, James Ngomane, said there was  need for Africa to hold hands and support Botswana’s bid, adding that hosting would also boost the country’s economy.

Ngomane said Botswana had what it takes to host and deliver the event.

 He however said Africa should be weary of sabotage from other nations.

“One or two people from elsewhere can be bribed to vote against Botswana,” he warned.  ENDS