03 Aug 2021

Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) is faced with a number of challenges that impede the clubs’ readiness to return to play.  

The federation is still trying to mobilise resources months after confirmation by the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Tumiso Rakgare, that games could resume following their suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BVF president, Daniel Molaodi, said in an interview that the federation was not ready to start the league or tournaments due to lack of sponsorships even if clubs could have indicated their readiness.

He explained that a minimum of P500 000 was needed to run a tournament where teams would be motivated to partake in looking at prizes. “Costs incurred by teams which include transport and meals are very high hence the need for better prize money,” he said.

He said their league took around seven to eight months and for it to succeed, around P1.5 million was needed where at least first prize winner could bag P100 000.

Molaodi said they were still in talks with potential sponsors adding that it takes time to get sponsors on board since they had to be educated first on the importance of aligning their brands with BVF.

“They need to be shown how both parties would benefit from the partnership and as you know there is a hierarchy to be followed in organisations, which means it takes time for decisions to be reached,” he said.

BVF president said volleyball was one of the best in Africa looking at rankings, explaining that this could benefit organisations that aligned their brands with it. “I therefore urge the corporates to assist in growing volleyball,” he added.

Molaodi also noted that they had not yet received the grant from government which the federation relied on to run their affairs.

He said despite having forwarded return to play guidelines to clubs and the federation had not received feedback on the teams’ preparedness. “Most of the clubs do not own playing grounds hence the need to plan with the owners on how they would safely utilise the fields,” he said.

He explained that the federation was tasked with making sure that all COVID-19 safety measures were in place before their affiliates could return to play. “Everyone should be safe when we return to the playing fields and a lot of time and resources were needed for that,” he added.

He said the Federation would arrange two congresses in the near future, of which the first one would focus on new elections guidelines which would this week be sent to affiliates.

He said members would share their views on the new guidelines during that congress and return to play guidelines would also be discussed.

He said with the new guidelines in place, the second meeting would be elective congress.  Ends