08 Apr 2025

Namibia sprinters, Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi will line up with local runners, Tsaone Sebele and Tshepang Manyika in the 100m event in the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix at the National Stadium on Saturday.

The 2021 Olympic silver medalist, Mboma and Masilingi have been struggling with form after the World Athletics banned them from competing in the 400m due to excess levels of testosterone. 

They had to take medication to lower their testosterone levels, something that athletics pundits had suspected it had a toll on their mental health. 

Their coach, Henk Botha, said this would be his athletes’ come back, adding that they were currently fighting to get back to the international level. 

“So don’t expect great times, but I think both of them are ready to be competitive, and hopefully they can start making themselves proud again,” he said. 

The line-up also comprises South Africa’s Jingqi Viwe, Kayla Le Grange, Joviale Mbisha, Kaili Botje and USA’s Kayla White, and Slovak track and field athlete, Viktoria Forster. 

The event spokesperson, Calistus Kolantsho said the inclusion of the two athletes was a boost to their event. 

He said Mboma had a great season in 2022-23 until she was affected by Differences in Sex Development issue. 

Kolantsho said Mboma was an exciting athlete, adding that this would not be her first time to compete in the meet as she competed in 2023. 

“Now that she is back, we expect her to continue where she left off. 

Masilingi was expected to compete in the 60 metres at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, but she did not participate due to an injury,” he said.

The fact that she has confirmed her participation on Saturday, Kolantsho is of the view that her shoulder injury had been attended to adding that she was also one of the athletes to watch out for.  ENDS