20 May 2025

Having started playing hockey at the later stage of her life, Irene Jeremiah has found it practical to introduce the sport to the Bontleng community in Gaborone.

The Botswana Hockey board member said in an interview that the challenges they were facing as a sport was accessibility and visibility, adding that she started playing hockey while at the University of Botswana.

Jeremiah therefore said they were looking to introduce the sport to children at an early age hence she had identified Bontleng.

She said unearthing talent at an early age could be beneficial to athletes, adding that having worked with the Bontleng community, she knew their needs and challenges.

Jeremiah said she approached Bontleng Ward Development Committee and sold them the idea that the intention was to empower the community through hockey.

She said she was happy that the idea was welcomed and supported by the community as well.

The main objective of the programme, she said was to bring together community members, stakeholders and potential partners to witness the beginning of a transformative initiative for the youth of Bontleng.

In that regard, Jeremiah said she trained children ranging from eight to 18 years, in hockey, adding they also have financial literacy sessions, life skills, gender-based violence and child exploitation.

She said the intention was also to increase safe guarding of children in Bontleng as another component was the parent’s engagement.

“I explained to them that for every child that I am going to include in my team, I have to make sure I fully interact with their parents and meet quarterly to try to understand what their challenges are, and if they need improvement at home,” she said.

The whole idea, she said, was to create a supportive system, whereby if she wanted to take the players somewhere, the parents and the community should be hands on. ENDS