Botswana's Commonwealth Games champion signs with South African sports agency

Botswana's top 800m runner Nijel Amos this week signed a deal with renowned South African sports agency Newton Sports Agency, the company announced on Wednesday.

According to a statement from the company received here, the 21-year old signed an exclusive multi-year agreement that will see the agency represent him with his global strategy through marketing, endorsements and appearances.

"I think what Newton Sports Agency has built across Africa in the past few years is really dynamic and I feel like it's the right fit for me as a professional," Amos was quoted as saying in the company statement. "My focus is to continue to improve my performances over the next few years and with 2016 Rio Olympic Games around the corner I would like to maximize my exposure."

Amos further hailed the agency saying as an elite athlete, he needs a professional management team and Newton Sports Agency had done an exceptional work with Olympic athletes before, hence he signed with them.

"I chose them because I want to know that my commercial interests and profile are in good hands while I concentrate on the track," he said.

Amos started making headlines when he won the world junior championships in Barcelona in 2012. From there he went on to win Botswana's first Olympic medal, a silver at the London Olympic Games where he was beaten by Rudisha in one of the most anticipated 800m finals in history.

He recorded his best time of 1:41:73 in the final. His fame continued to rise as he beat Rudisha to claim gold at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the year he also finished as world number one ranked 800m athlete. He currently resides in Potchefstroom, South Africa where he trains. Endi