21 May 2015

Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) in partnership with Debswana Diamond Company will launch Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) and Botswana Softball Association (BSA) centres in Maun on May 30.

The two centres will be launched under the Debswana Re Ba Bona Ha Sports Development Programme.  BNSC vice chairperson, Prof. Martin Mokgwathi and senior officials from Debswana and the district leadership are expected to grace the event.

The launch will see the handover of softball and rugby equipment to the centres by Debswana Diamond Company. 

A press release from BNSC stated that the two centres came at a time when Botswana junior athletes had been achieving outstanding performances in many regional, continental and international competitions.

This included the sterling performances at the 2^nd Africa Youth Games and the Youth Olympic Games.  The release further states that to sustain and further enhance these performances, there is need for continuous talent identification and development. 

It also states that the decision to expand the softball and rugby centres in the North West region is part of these efforts.

Through the Debswana Re Ba Bona Ha Sports Development Programme, BRU and BSA, says the release will work hand in hand with BNSC to ensure that centres identify talent at primary schools and that the resources required, including making available coaches and equipment needed to nurture these sports talents.

Prior to the launch, BRU and BSA will run a weeklong course for the centre coaches to ensure that they are abreast with the latest developments in youth coaching, says the release.

Meanwhile, in 2013 Debswana again handed over sports equipment to Re Ba Bona Ha volley ball in Maun to promote grass root sport development and enhance performance and cement Botswana’s sports position in the international arena.

Re Ba Bona Development Programme is aimed to develop technique on Botswana athletes at a very young age and in the process identify talent for development at a higher level.

The release states that Debswana Company has generously contributed a sponsorship of over P6 million to the programme over the past six years. ENDS