01 Jul 2014

The Botswana Squash Rackets Association has officially handed Alister Walker his Botswana National Sports Council Sportsman of the Year 2013 medal.

Walker won the award in abstentia and on June 28, squash administrators and players converged to honour their hero for his efforts as they handed him the award.

The jubilant Walker said he was delighted to have received the accolade, although he was not there in person to receive it last year. Relating his squash story, he said he left for England at the age of 14.

Walker said Botswana had a lot of talented squash players in the likes of Pule Thamage, Conrad Ntshebe, Lekgotla Moshope and Lesego Motlhware, who never had the opportunity to go overseas to nurture their talent in a professional set up.

The 2013 Sportsman of the Year said there was another set of young players who had a bright future ahead of them, adding that he was hopeful that they will have a chance to spread their wings and spread squash to benefit the country.

The reigning All Africa Champion said squash in Botswana has been stagnant, adding that a desperate measure to activate it is needed as a matter of urgency.  He said it is necessary to have a plan to develop the game, not only in Gaborone, but in other areas such as Jwaneng, Francistown and Lobatse as well.

Walker said facilities in those areas should be put to good use. “The first thing to do is to train coaches who will in turn identify talent in other areas of the country, honestly we need to have a broad spectrum if we are to see squash growing,” he said.

Walker on Saturday played against Tapologo “TP” Motsumi and humiliated him 11-3 and in anotther games he faced Sheldon Erasmus who was also not sparred as he was beaten 11-4, although both his opponents were also good, the professional player took it simple throughout the games

Alister showed great skill and if his fitness level is anything to go by, then Botswana should brace itself for yet another gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Youth Games which will be played in Glasgow.

The player left for the United States on Sunday to prepare for the Common Wealth Games, and he said he will not leave any stone unturned given that it will be the first time he will participate in the Commonwealth Games. He is confident that he will hoist Botswana’s flag high, hence some pundits are resolute that the player will definitely bring a medal home.

It was the same Walker who last year managed to beat third seed Kelvin Ndlovu from Zambia in the men’s individual final of the All Africa Championships, with 11-9, 11-4, and 11-2.

Before clinching the championship, Walker had to go through Jonathan Peters of Nigeria in the quarter-finals and managed to win 12-10, 11-5, 11-6, and in the semi-finals he was pitted against Christo Potgieter of South Africa and managed to beat him 11-2, 11-4, 11-4.

Judging by his performance at the All Africa Championsip, surely Botswana deserves a medal at the Commonwealth Games. ENDS