06 Jan 2014

The North West district commissioner, Bernadette Malala has called on teachers to ensure students balance sports and their academic work so that they excel in both.

She said teachers should make sure that students realise the importance of sports and at the same time taking their studies seriously. Malala made the sentiments after a presentation about the education achievements in the region. It was reported that region had been excelling in sports.

She praised the schools for taking the region to higher level in sports noting that the region had a lot of talent and potential, which needed to be nurtured. She said youths from Ngamiland District had put the region on the map in both athletics and beauty pageants. Malala said grass root sport development was crucial as it created opportunities for the children adding that it also opened doors for them.

“We know a lot of individuals who were given this opportunity at a tender age and ended up becoming professional athletes and in the process making fortunes,” she added.

Earlier on, an official from Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association (BOPSSA), Tobokani King who is also the football coordinator said the North West region had become the overall champions in athletics at Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association competitions for 2013.

He said the region was rated the best as most athletes excelled in most sports codes and walked away with trophies and medals.

He said in the intermediate category and senior team the region got position one in athletics and were awarded with trophies and gold medals while in the junior category got position two. King also observed that the football team performed well in the National competition held in Lobatse recently and won a trophy and a gold medal and the team was crowned the best overall in football.

Recently, BOPSSA took the outstanding athletes who participated during the National Competitions held in July 2010 to Namibia to take part in the Southern Africa Regional ball sports games for primary schools.

King said in football, about five students from the region who brought gold medals from Namibia were nominated to represent the country in COSASA games competition. From COSASA games, the Volleyball team brought gold medal while the netball team got position two.

King said last year, the Volleyball team got bronze medal and a silver medal in the previous year. King also noted that the Under 12 football team participated in the Chappies competition and got position three.

He added that this is a welcome development as it is an indication that children are developing and gaining skills. He noted that it is imperative that children are introduced to sports at an early age. He mentioned some of the challenges they encounter such as shortage of transport noting that at times they travel very late and arrive at night and when the pupils are due to participate the following day.

He also indicated that poor playing grounds in the region also contribute negatively to the pupils’ performance.

It was also revealed that Tsodilo Junior Secondary School is performing well in sports with the softball boys and girls’ teams having scooped position one at the BISA National Champions. In national drama competition, the schools emerged position one. Malebogo Balebetse who is the wellness coordinator in the region stated that the North West region again became the 2013 champion of the THUTO games held at Masunga from December 3-6.

Some athletes from the region also participated at the Special Olympic Games held at Francistown and performed well and some have been selected to represent the country in United States of America in 2014. ENDS