‘Talent development, way to go’

Zimbabwe's rising talent Martha Chipuriro (left) and Answer Tasara won silver and gold in the women’s 5000m at the Southern Region Senior Athletics Championships in Harare.

Ellina Mhlanga

Zimpapers Sports Hub

BOTSWANA athletics coach Nason Maotwe says talent development and nurturing from an early stage has been key to the growth and strides they are making in the world of athletics.

Botswana have made notable progress in the sport, with the likes of Letsile Tebogo making waves on global stages such as the World Championships and Olympic Games.

Tebogo bagged a gold medal at the last Olympics and the 4x400m men’s relay got silver.

The neighbouring country has made inroads in athletics and emerged winners at the Southern Region Senior Athletics Championships held in Harare over the weekend.

Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, Maotwe said development from grassroots has been the main catalyst to their progress.

“Just getting athletes from the development stage, grooming them all the way, nurturing talent from the development stage, youth, junior up to the senior level.

“And make sure that you keep those athletes that show talent because we keep them busy by just exposing them to different competitions.

“When you expose athletes to different competitions, then the thing will come. You don’t have to look for talent where it is not. We catch it while it’s still here. That’s basically what we are doing.

“And make sure that those ones we get, we keep them, we nurture them, we discipline them so that they don’t get astray or do things that are not good for the sport.”