22 Nov 2021

Tried and tested bowlers, Regent Reid and Richard Ditaolana, were crowned champions of the Naledi Motors Commercial classic bowls pairs Sunday.

The pair went home P4 000 richer after they put up a stellar performance in the return matches after a long layoff owing to COVID-19 restrictions.

The closely contested tournament, which begun on Saturday, had four interesting games of 18 ends for each team.

Reid and Ditaolana opened their account against Dikhupe siblings, Ofentse and Lebogang before taking on a mixed pair of Kitso Robert and Doreen Moleleki from Orapa.

They recorded their third consecutive win against George Kieni and Molly Douma. 

In their final match on Sunday Reid and Ditaolana completed their mission against Lebogang Dikhupe who partnered with Grace Kamba to record 12 points and a shot difference of 31 for the top spot.

Khumo Kebalatetse and Kabelo Ngwako came on the second spot closely followed by John Evans and Regina Hitchfieldt with ten points apiece separated by a slim margin of a five shot difference.

Speaking in a post-match interview, Reid, who is also spokesperson for Botswana Bowling Association, said the tournament went well as planned and were in good shape to send the national team to the December 14 Cape Town pairs tournament.

The national team, which has had a lengthy spell of inactivity, last took part in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia.

Botswana had hoped to take part in this year’s African State tournament but Nambia were unable to host the tournament which is a qualifying stage for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. The African state matches is a big tournament played by other regional powerhouses such as Zambia, South Africa and Kenya.

Reid said the December tournament in Cape Town would come as good practice games for both men and women’s national squads. Marea Modutlwa, Moleleki, Douma, Lesego Motladiile and Lebogang Dikhupe form the women’s national team while Remmy Kebapetse, Charles Diteko, Reid, Kabo Gaboutlwele and Joseph Nthobelang form the men’s team. BOPA