25 Mar 2025

The Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has welcomed the decision by the World Athletics Council to award Botswana the hosting rights of the 2026 World Athletics Relay.

The decision makes Botswana the first African country to achieve such a feat. 

Moses Bantsi, BAA president, said in an interview that they were elated by the world athletics governing body’s decision, adding that it did not come as a surprise as they worked behind the scenes to ensure that Botswana wins the bid.

The decision, he said was not only a win for Botswana, but for Africa as a whole, adding that it was also a sign of confidence that Botswana was doing something right.

“I think credit should also be given to our athletes’ performance. They have overtime made the country proud and in the end our federation and the country got the recognition,” he said.

He promised that Botswana would deliver a successful event with the help of government, private sector and other stakeholders.

For his part, Botswana National Sport Commission Chief Executive Officer, Tuelo Serufho said hosting of the World Relays came at an opportune time since Botswana would be celebrating 60 years of independence next year. 

He said Botswana had gained enough experience to deliver a world class event following its hosting of the African Youth Games in 2014; Netball World Youth Cup in 2017 and the Grand Prix in 2023.

A sports journalist from Ghana, Muftawu Nabila Abdulai, who has been following the development, said the decision was a big achievement for Botswana.

He said Botswana had over the years shown the desire to uplift athletics, which had been reflected through athletes’ performance on international competitions such as the World Championships and the Olympic Games.

“This country has just broken the glass ceiling for the African continent and hopefully, they will host a competition to remember,” he said.

Kenya freelance journalist and Sports Media Operations Consultant, formerly managing editor for Sports at Kenya’s Nation Media Group, Elias Makori said the win was not only for Botswana, but also for Africa and African sprinters.

He said hosting the World Relays in Gaborone would spur the development of the continent’s sprinters adding that it was a fitting reward for the foundation laid by Botswana’s sprinters, led by Isaac Makwala and new kid on the block, Letsile Tebogo.

He said also it was a reassurance of the growth of African sport, with Dakar hosting the 2026 Youth Olympic Games and Zimbabwe’s Olympic legend Kirsty Coventry having just been elected Africa’s first, and the youngest ever president of the International Olympic Committee. ENDS