- Big-name athletes expected to converge in Gabs
- Event to be televised to 15o countries
- BW athletes to use it as a plank for other major world events
GAZETTE REPORTER
Organisers of the highly-anticipated Botswana Golden Grand Prix have put aside a total of P2.4 million for the competition’s prize money in track and field events.
This comes after the event – which was formerly known as the Gaborone International Meet (GIM) – was given continental tour gold status from the initial bronze by international athletics governing body, World Athletics, recently.
Revamped
The revamped event – which will be televised to 150 countries around the world – will see top-ranked athletes from all over the world converge on the National Stadium in Gaborone to compete in various track and field events on 29 April 2023.
Winners in each individual event will receive a maximum of P65 000 while losers will bag a minimum of P4 000 in both men’s and women’s events.
The men’s events comprise the 100m, the 200m, the 400m, and the 800m races, as well as the 3000m steeple chase, 400m hurdles, long jump and shotput while the women’s contest has the 100m, the 200m, the 400m, and the 800m races, as well as long jump and shotput.
A huge budget
The total estimated budget of the event that will cover the cost of all technical and administrative aspects of the competition is close to P9 million.
In an exclusive interview with Gazette Sports, Chief Organiser Glody Dube said they expect financial assistance from the government, the private sector and World Athletics because the event requires a huge budget owing to its status.
“What attracts top competitive international athletes to register for this event is the prize money,” Dube emphasised. “We have budgeted for P2.4 million for the total prize money of the event where positions one to eight will get cash prizes. I can confirm that we have been getting lots of enquiries from big-name athletes interested in coming to Botswana for this meet because the benefits are plentiful.
Athletes’ top destination
“We are happy with the response. Athletes will earn points that will keep them in competition in major events. They are earmarking Botswana as one of their destinations this year.”
The Botswana Golden Grand Prix is one of the only two World Athletics Continental Tour, Gold Track and Field competitions hosted in Africa annually alongside Kenya, and the only one in southern Africa holding gold status.
According to Dube, World Athletics is pleased with preparations for the event. He took advantage of the interview to urge Batswana to come together and make it a success because it will contribute massively to the growth of sports in Botswana.
“The preparations are going well so far and I am happy to share that the event will be televised in more than 150 countries across the world,” he said.
“Botswana has made a great progress in terms of athletics and this is our time to shine. This event will also serve as a plank for local athletes who aim to use the opportunity to clock qualifying times for other world events.”