BNOC chief executive officer Tuelo Serufho said the country is preparing for more Olympic qualification events ©BNOC

Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) are preparing for more national qualifying events to ensure more athletes reach the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

BNOC chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho, highlighted that they are preparing for various competitions internationally as well as locally to help more Botswanans book their ticket to Japan this summer.

He also pointed out the support from Business Botswana and the ongoing preparation to prevent coronavirus from affecting events in the country and in Tokyo.

"Decisions will be made about if it’s safe enough to participate and if there are any changes they will be communicated," said Serufho. 

"The team is expected to be sent off on June 27 and will depart to their pre-training camp on June 30, where they are expected to move to their Games village."

Nijel Amos finished second behind Kenya's David Rudisha in London, who broke the 800m world record in the race, with both breaking the previous Olympic record ©Getty Images
Nijel Amos finished second behind Kenya's David Rudisha in London, who broke the 800m world record in the race, with both breaking the previous Olympic record ©Getty Images

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Tumiso Rakgare has also proposed a golf day to continue the raising of funds for BNOC for their athletes at Tokyo 2020.

Botswana currently have four athletes who have qualified for the Games including Keamogetse Kenosi who will compete in women's boxing. 

She is joined by three of her compatriots from athletics as Galafele Moroko and Christine Botlogetswe will race the women's 400 metres and Nijel Amos, the only Botswanan to win an Olympic medal after claiming silver at London 2012, going in the men's 800m.

Botswana matched their highest squad size at Rio 2016 with 12, the same number as they had at Beijing 2008.