21 Nov 2018

Francistown based netball team, Bokgoni Sporting Club does not only play the game for health benefits and joy, but also to empower the youth.  

In an interview recently, the founder, director and coach of youth ladies netball team, Mothusi Kenosi said the team was involved in youth development activities such as workshops.

He said they organised workshops to discuss issues on alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and STD’S and how to manage finances.

Kenosi said they sometimes engaged communities through kgotla meetings, schools and work places to discuss a variety of issues affecting them.

The 40-year-old Kenosi noted that he had trained Bokgoni netball players on traits of a good peer educator, communication skills and HIV, alcohol and drug abuse and financial management issues.

“Bokgoni is acting like an NGO as we are sometimes involved in giving back to the community like organising trade fair for the people of Somerset Extension where we are based,” said Kenosi, who is also a former peer educator.

Bokgoni was registered in 2011 and it sometimes undertakes charity work. This year it donated blankets and food for the elderly and poor people in Somerset Extension.

He said they fundraised through selling t-shirts, organising tournaments and used the funds for charity purposes.

In addition, Kenosi appreciated contributions by some stakeholders and companies such as Somerset Extension Ward Development Committee, schools and shops towards the noble course.

Kenosi said the team was currently working on building a recreational park for the youth at Somerset Extension.

He said he also approached an NGO from the USA, Mennonite Mission Network, which had agreed to financially sponsor the building of the recreational park, expected to start early next year.

He said the idea of building a recreational park was praised by Francistown City Council and WDC who gave Bokgoni the green light to continue with preparations of constructing it. Council also allocated Bokgoni a piece of land where the recreational park would be constructed.

Kenosi said the recreational park would comprise a netball ground, a 5-a-side football pitch, swimming pool and conference room.

He also said the recreational park would help take youths away from crime, alcohol and drug abuse.

Bokgoni has 20 young netballers who participated in constituency competitions, friendly matches and also in tournaments organised by individuals and companies.

He said some netballers who used to play for Bokgoni were now playing for professional netball clubs such as Maitumelo Gaesitegi who plays for Tasc Netball Club and Motsei Matebele who represented Botswana netball team at senior level.

Meanwhile, Kenosi said challenges encountered included parents who refused to let their children join Bokgoni demanding payment.

He said parents should understand that Bokgoni aimed at empowering the youth and taking them away from the streets and turning them into professional netball players.

Kenosi said the other challenges they faced were lack of equipment and funds to pay for travelling expenses. He pleaded with companies and individuals to sponsor Bokgoni club.

He said his dream was to see Bokgoni as a fully professional club with all facilities and having created a lot of professional netballers. ENDS