10 Feb 2015

Lack of indoor sporting facilities leaves players vulnerable to climate change, Notwane netball chairperson, Malebogo Mophalane has said.

Speaking in an interview during a two-day Under-20 HIV/AIDS netball tournament over the weekend, Mophalane said outdoor facilities were no longer favourable due to adverse weather conditions.

The tournament, which was themed: Engaging Youth Voices in the HIV/AIDS responses, proceeded despite the meteorology services having warned the public of high temperatures. 

“Avoid prolonged stay under the sun; if at all possible stay under the shade. Protect yourselves from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat or umbrella,” warmed a press release in part. 

However, for the eight teams that participated, each player had to endure the roasting rays for at least three hours on Saturday because each team played three games each lasting for an hour.

Then those who had to battle for the gold, silver and bronze medals had to endure another hour on Sunday with the last game played at noon.

“There is nothing we can do because we depend on BONA outdoor courts while we await for the University of Botswana to complete its indoor facility and we would consider approaching them,” said Mophalane.

Though Botswana Police Service has a single indoor court in Otse, Mophalane explained that the tourney organizing committee has not considered approaching BPS unless the courts were two. 

She said the situation would improve if the sports council could consider shading BONA courts.  The non-monetary tournament, Mophalane explained, aims at developing players and serves as a feeding structure to senior teams. 

It also keeps participants away from social ills while at the same time providing a platform to share and learn HIV/AIDS related issues through their colleagues. ENDS