09 Jul 2013

Botswana Bridge Federation affiliates have adopted that the federation constitution be amended to allow committee to sit in office for four years instead of the current two years.

The decision was reached at the Federation Ordinary General Meeting in Gaborone on July 6 where the affiliates said the four year term would afford the committee ample time to familiarise themselves with the Botswana National Sports Council policies.

Affiliates also agreed that the Bridge regions should be split in to three instead of two regions being the Central which stretches from Mahalapye, Tswapong and Palapye, North which covers Tonota, Maun, Shakawe and Francistown and the South which starts from Artesia down South.

The federation president,  Keneilwe Mosomodi said over the past year many schools have joined the federation which indicates that they have grown.

“We appreciate your contribution as affiliates and feel free to advice the executive committee,” she noted.

She highlighted that they came up with cluster coordinators in their different regions from Tsau, Shakawe, Francistown, Selebi Phikwe, Kgatleng and South East.

She further indicated that they held cluster workshops in the areas where teachers and students attended which she said was impressive as beginners turned up in large numbers.

Mosomodi said due to their federation depending more on Junior and senior school clubs they strive to invest in youth development so that they strengthen the youth teams.

The president highlighted that they also managed to take bridge to primary schools as they held workshops targeting primary teachers in all districts.

“We want to have bridge intellectuals because at the moment most players only know the basics and we aim to upgrade and teach advanced bridge,” she said.

Mosomodi said the federation managed to send a team at the Africa bridge championships where they came forth out of seven countries which she said is an improvement because the local team has always come last.

She encouraged community clubs to be effective so that they do not only depend on schools giving an example with Egypt indicating that young players train with more experienced adults in community clubs.

The president said they will continue holding workshops for coaches to acquaint them with the rules of the game which they will transfer to the kids.

BNSC sports development officer Peaceful Seleka said the proposal for the executive committee to stay four years in office is a good move in that it would help the committee to comprehend with the BNSC rules and policies.

He said the federation should familiarise themselves with some of the funds that BNSC offers like the Elite sponsorship and zebra fund which are meant to benefit athletes.

He also said bridge as a code that is popular in schools should take advantage of Re Ba Bona Ha which can assist in the training of youngsters.

Seleka further encouraged the federation to up their game and grow the sport as it is still a new code in Botswana. ENDS