10 Sep 2013

The Botswana Bowls national team is in Windhoek, Namibia, to compete in the African States Tournament (AST).

The 10-member team, accompanied by two managers and assistant manager, is expected to compete in singles, pairs, trips and falls categories. While the team has always finished fourth in the competition, it has vowed to turn the tables and bring home medals.

“We are well prepared for this competition and we have had several squad practice sessions. Each player was expected to put 40 hours of practice per month to prepare for the tournament,” said the ladies team manager, Gasegarona Pabalelo during a send-off ceremony held in Jwaneng last Friday. She was optimistic that the team would perform well because they have vast experience in international competitions. “We are aiming for two or three medals this time.”

The men’s team manager, Oabona Motladiile also anticipated nothing less than a win for his team.

“We will definitely bring a medal because we have been oing technical assessment of the players to prove physical fitness and the results are good,” he explained. He said the fact that last year they lost with a small margin was indication that the team’s dream of bringing a medal home was not far-fetched. Botswana Bowling Association (BBA) chairperson, Kitso Robert urged players to do their best and represent the country well in Namibia. Robert said they should aim for medals so that they could have the opportunity to play at next year’s tournament which Botswana will host.

“You should play as a team and cooperate with each other so that collectively you produce desired results,” he said.

He, however, said even if they did not bring medals they would still have done their best in representing the country and that would still be appreciated.

Robert further applauded the government, Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) as well as Debswana, among others, for would go a long way in developing their continued support over the bowling as a sport in the country. years. The noble gesture, he noted, would go a long way in developing bowling as a sport in the country.  ENDS