22 Nov 2018

Sixty-four Handball Association of Botswana (HAB)  trainee coaches were awarded coaching licenses after  completing a three-day course that was held in Francistown.

The trainees who took part in the coaching course were teachers from schools in Francistown and Francistown College of Training and Vocational Education (FCTVE) students.

In an interview with the course instructor, Istvan Juhasz said after completing the course the trainees would be ready to start their clubs and assume coaching duties.

“The training consisted of theory and practical drills. The idea was to teach participants basic execution of handball techniques because this are the coaches who are going to train development handball players,” he said.

Juhasz said the training was a success and expressed satisfaction over participants performance and commitment  during the three-day  training.

Furthermore, Juhasz said he was pleased by the way participants welcomed him, and stated that it was easy to work with them.

He said it was pleasing to see how participants interacted, which was  important because sharing information played a vital role in improving as an instructor.

For his part, the training organiser coach, Buyani Mphetsolang said the training was part of the association’s drive to introduce handball to other places around the country.

“The 64 participants are trainers for grassroots development structure for the age between six and 12 years,” he said.

Mphetsolang  said he was pleased with attendance which exceeded their expectations, saying it was a milestone because “should all those who attended proceed to form their clubs, handball is bound to grow, more especially that they are still to cover two other places in Palapye and Molepolole.”

Although he appreciated the response, Mphetsolang acknowledged the challenges faced by HAB.

He revealed that they had only one court in the country at the University of Botswana.

He said it was through such challenges that deterred the sport code to grow. However, he said they would continue to work hard for the growth of the code.

He also appealed to sponsors to come on board and help with resources to develop the sport code, adding that since handball was still  at the infancy stage they needed all the help to grow the sport. He appealed for balls, kits and other equipment for players to use.

Onneile Moronkwe, 25, said she was grateful for the course which was extended to her as a sport and recreation leisure student at FCTVE. She added that the opportunity would help her with her coaching aspirations.

She said as an undergraduate, the coaching clinic has opened new doors for her as she took interest in a sport that was new in the country.

Morokwe said she looked forward to exploring her coaching training as she was inspired to set up a team for aspiring handball players.ENDS