Africa hosts historic World Relays as Uganda seeks progress in Gaborone

For the first time ever, the World Athletics Relays will be staged on African soil this Saturday and Sunday in Gaborone, marking a significant milestone for the sport on the continent.

More than 1,500 athletes are expected to compete in the men’s and women’s 4x100m, as well as the mixed 4x400m and 4X100 relays, promising two days of high-speed.

Uganda fielded a compact but determined team of four athletes Haron Adoli, Shida Leni, Maureen Banura, and Kenneth Omuka as they make their second appearance at the global event.

The team returns with confidence after a promising debut at the 2025 edition in Guangzhou, China, where Uganda finished fifth in Heat One and set a national record of 3:16.59 in the mixed 4x400m relay. 

Uganda will begin its campaign on Saturday at 5:30pm in the first qualifying round, aiming to improve on last year’s showing and push closer to the global elite.

Prize money at stake

World Athletics will award prize money to the top eight teams in each event. The winning team will take home USD 40,000 (Shs149,040,958), while the second-placed team will earn USD 20,000 (Shs74,520,479). Third place will receive USD 10,000 (Shs37,260,239), and fourth place USD 8,000 (Shs29,808,191).

Global stars headline Gaborone showdown

The event will feature some of the biggest names in sprinting. Canada’s Andre De Grasse, a multiple Olympic champion, will compete in both the 4x100m and mixed relays.

Jamaica’s sprint queen Shericka Jackson will lead her country’s charge in the women’s 4x100m, continuing a legacy that has seen Jamaica dominate the event historically.

Botswana favorite Letsile Tebogo, who made history with Botswana’s first Olympic gold medal in the 200m at the Paris 2024 Games headlines the host nation’s ambitions as they look to build on recent relay success.

South Africa’s Akani Simbine, an Olympic silver medallist in the 4x100m relay, adds further depth to a stacked field.

A defining moment for African athletics

Beyond medals and records, hosting the World Relays represents a turning point for athletics in Africa. Botswana’s successful bid and organisation of a global championship could inspire other nations across the continent to pursue major international events.

Regardless of what follows, one thing is clear: for Botswana, and perhaps for African athletics as a whole, Athletics will never be the same in Botswana.