Some of the top athletes have already confirmed their availability for the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place at the National Stadium in Gaborone on April 12.

The event spokesperson, Calistus Kolantsho said some of the athletes such as 100 metres runner, Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, Andre DeGrasse of Canada and South Africa’s Akan Simbine as well as Courtney Linsey of America, had already sealed the deal.

He said in the 200 metres where Olympic Champion, Letsile Tebogo will be competing, Wayde Van Niekerk of South Africa and Jerome Blake of Canada had already confirmed.

Kolantsho said in the 800 metres Ferguson Rotich, Nicholas Kiplagat and Justice Kipkoech of Kenya had shown a lot of appetite to line up against Botswana's Tshepiso Masalela.

Other athletes who have confirmed their participation are USA’s 400 metres hurdler Trevor Bassit and long jumper Marquis Dendy.

Furthermore, he said European champion and silver medallist at the World Championships, Leonardo Fabbri of Italy will be in Botswana.

In the women's category, Kolantsho said they were expecting Ivorian Marie Jose Ta Lou-Smith of Ivory Coast and USA's Nia Ali.

Other athletes are 400 metres world champion, Qunera Hayes of USA, Bahrain 800 metres runner Nelly Jepkosgei, Sara Moraa of Kenya, and Nigist Getachew of Ethiopia.

In the 400 metres hurdles, there will be USA's Dalilah Muhammad, who is also the 2016 Rio Olympics champion and 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medallist, as well as South Africa’s Javelin thrower, Ane Van Dyk.

Kolantsho said Bayapo Ndori, Leungo Scotch and other local athletes would also have an opportunity to compete on home soil.

He said they continued engaging other athletes, adding that they wanted to host a competitive meet.

He said preparations were going well and that on Saturday, they had their first activation to sensitise people about the coming competition.

“The interest is there and people have bought tickets in large number, so we are expecting to continue our activation with the help of our title sponsor, First National Bank.

The events to be staged in the men’s category are 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 400m hurdles and long jump, shot put and 4x100 metres relays. Ends