24 Aug 2016

Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) president Joshua Gaotlhobogwe says the Confederation of School Sports Associations of Southern Africa (COSSASA) Ball Games should be used to promote friendship amongst players from the region.

Gaotlhobogwe also said the Games should also be used as a medium for cultural exchange. 

“We should not focus on winning medals only, but should let the kids establish friendships. The other stakeholders should also establish friendship and explore our city,” Gaotlhobogwe said during a welcome ceremony organised for delegates at Masa Centre in Gaborone on Tuesday.

The Games logo was also officially unveiled during the event.

The Games commenced yesterday and will be played at different venues in the capital city until the weekend.

COSSASA president Johnson Maduku thanked the government of Botswana for agreeing to host the 2016 Ball Games. He also thanked the sponsors that have supported the competition.

Maduku said COSSASA aimed to cultivate sporting excellent in the southern Africa region.“If we are united then nothing is impossible,” Maduku said.

The hosts Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia and Zimbabwe are the five countries competing in the Games.   Ends