08 Jul 2018

Botswana National Sport Commission chief executive officer, Falcon Sedimo says constituency sport tournaments keep out of school youth engaged and away from vices such as crime, alcohol and drug abuse.

He said the tournaments identify, unearth and launch talent that ultimately fed national teams. Sedimo was speaking during the national constituency sport tournament award ceremony in Selebi Phikwe recently.

The town hosted this year’s national constituency tournament with soccer, netball and volley ball teams from eight regions taking part. The tournament also celebrated 10 years of existence since inception in July 4, 2008 by former president Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

Sedimo explained that the tournaments targeted out of school youth with the object to promote mass participation in sport for leisure, fitness, social engagement and recreation.

“These tournaments create an opportunity for youth who did not do well academically, but have sport talent to develop and nurture,” he said.

He encouraged youth to continue participating in the tournaments and also urged teams that won to utilise the funds to empower themselves.

Sedimo commended Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development for the continued promotion and development of sport in the country since the inception of the constituency tournaments 10 years ago.

He also commended the ministry for hosting the event in Selebi Phikwe, a move he said would be beneficial to the former mining town since the area was facing economic challenges due to the closure of the BCL Mine.

The hospitality and transport industries as well as other retailers and small businesses, he said, benefitted from the games.

The CEO commended the teams that participated in the tournament and encouraged them to continue with sport while those that won he said should maintain the title and defend their championship next year.

Selebi Phikwe mayor, Molosiwa Molosiwa shared the same views as Sedimo that besides engaging youth and keeping them away from the streets, they identified, unearthed and nurtured talent and called on youth to take sport seriously to earn a living.

Selebi Phikwe town council representative, Matshidiso Motshegetsi thanked participants and event organisers, who included MYSC, Selebi Phikwe district commissioners office and the town council.

Meanwhile, in the football category, position one went to Mmatomo Celtic from Gaborone representing region three, while position two was taken by Mighty Kings from Francistown representing region four. The third spot was won by Stonebreakers from Molepolole representing region seven.

In the netball category, position one was won by Ghetto Fans from Francistown representing region four, position two went to Delta Queens from Maun representing region two while Wizards team from Bobonong representing region five took position three.

The volleyball men’s category was won by Kasi VI from Selebi Phikwe representing region five, followed by Block 8 Volleyball from Francistown representing region four while Enkondoboro from Shakawe representing region two came third.

The women’s volleyball category was won by Real Shooters from Molepolole representing region seven followed by Eastern Heroes from Maun representing region two while Mikasa Queens from Gaborone representing region three obtained the third spot.

The winners walked away with P9 900 a trophy and gold medals while the runner-ups took home P7 700 and silver medals and third position candidates took home bronze medals and P4 000.

Coordinators of constituency tournaments were awarded trophies to appreciate their role and input the tournaments. About 32 teams from eight regions took part in the event. ENDS