10 Apr 2025

After a challenging week for stakeholders involved in the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix event, everything seems to be falling into place at the National Stadium to host some of the top athletes tomorrow. 

Rain disrupted the refurbishment of the track at the stadium and nearly spoilt what promises to be clash of titans as a number of international stars have already confirmed their attendance.

As the organisers were running against time, some stakeholders had to camp at the stadium on Wednesday night to ensure that more was done so that the stadium can be completed on Friday.  

Botswana National Sport Commission chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho said in an interview that despite the challenges, the meet would go on as planned tomorrow, adding that he also encouraged people to attend in large numbers.

Golden Door Sports Agency director, Glody Dube said athletes had started arriving as early as Wednesday.

The athletes, he said, were looking forward to be the first ones to run on Botswana’s new track.

Now that the issue of track completion looks certain, athletics pundits have started to ask question as to whether it was a fast track.

A fast track gives athletes the opportunity to perform better. 

The difference between the slow and fast track is that, a fast track tend to be harder, the compaction firmer than in the slow track. 

The harder, it is, the more it is able to resist the athlete, giving the runner an opportunity to bounce off and able to optimally do their best. 

Meanwhile, some of the athletes to look out for on Saturday are Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, Leungo Scotch, Tshepiso Masalela, Akani Simbine, Ferdinard Omanyala, Mark Odhiambo, Andre DeGrasse, Wayde van Niekerk, among others. ENDS