29 Jun 2016

Selebi Phikwe hosted the Botswana Integrated Sport Association (BISA), North and North Central Zones rugby tournament recently.

Ten teams being five boys’ and girls’ rugby teams from five Secondary schools in the North Zone namely Letlhakane, Mater-Spei, Shakawe, MacConnel and Maun Secondary schools battled out at the event.

Also 10 teams comprising of boys and girls teams from five secondary schools in the North Central Zone namely Madiba, Moeng College, Matshekge, Mmadinare and Selebi Phikwe Senior Secondary School took part in the competition.

In the North Zone, Letlhakane Senior Secondary School boys’ teams took position one after walloping the runner-ups McConnell Senior Secondary School in the finals while in the girls competition Shakawe Senior Secondary came up tops after walloping Letlhakane Senior Secondary who took position two.

In Regards to the North Central Zone, Selebi Phikwe Senior Secondary School took position one in the boys and girls competition while Mmadinare Senior Secondary School came second in both categories.

In an interview Tosca Segaise from Botswana Rugby Union which was facilitating the tournament said winners and runner-ups in both categories in North Zone and North Central Zone have qualified to compete in the nationals against other teams that took position one and two respectively in the South and South Central Zones.

He said the teams displayed high level of play during the competition at Selebi Phikwe Stadium. 

He said the teams were very competitive especially in the girls’ competitions. 

He acknowledged support from residents who attended the games. 

He said the games were tough and standard of play was high as teams displayed good rugby.

Meanwhile, Letlhakane Senior Secondary School rugby team’s coach Kaelo Mosimanyana whose teams took position one in boys competition and position two in the girls category in North Zone competition said he was pleased with the outcome of the event. 

He said both his teams did well and they are looking forward to take part in the nationals scheduled to be later this year.

He commended Aleck Basitang, a Motswana who coaches rugby teams in Lesotho for assisting in shaping up the Letlhakane Senior Secondary teams. 

He said he provided technical assistance in helping out the teams to prepare for the competitions. 

However, he mentioned that they experience challenges such as lack of proper rugby attire, shortage of rugby boots, and lack of equipment. 

He also commended parents for allowing their children to take part in the sport and travelling to other parts of the country to take part in competitions.

Coach Leave Baleseng of Selebi Phikwe also commended both the boys and girls teams for doing well in the competition where they scooped position one in both categories, while Mmadinare Senior came in second in two categories in North Central Zone.

He said they prepared well for the North Central Zone competition.

He said the level of competition was high though they won the games. 

However, he mentioned that there is need to make improvement because they will be competing in a high level competition at the nationals. Ends