16 Apr 2026

The Botswana Bowling Association has called to camp 10 players for an intensive training camp as the association finalises preparations ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games pencilled for Glasgow, Scotland in July.

Speaking ahead of the training camp slated for Francistown on April 20, Botswana bowls spokesperson and also assistant coach of the national team, Edwin Nyoka said the squad comprised of five men’s players and five women’s players who were yet to be finalised owing to eligibility criteria for participation.

Viewed as the most prestigious event in the global bowls calendar,  the Commonwealth Games sees players from across the Commonwealth come together to compete against the world’s best bowlers.

Botswana will face tough opposition from some of the global bowling powerhouses such as England, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia and Canada among others.

Team Botswana participated in the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and advanced as far as the quarterfinals in what was seen as the best performance in the history of the local bowls team.

Botswana had sent a strong contingent of four women namely Marea Modutlwa, Tshenolo Moshokgo, Lesego Motladiile and Boikhutso Mooketsi, who had qualified for the closely contested tournament at the African States tournament.

Botswana scooped position two at the past two African States tournament hosted in Namibia in 2023 and the last one hosted by Botswana in Orapa.

About eight players are returning to the national team set up with only two from the youth team included.

Reigning national masters champion, Peo Ramodise will join Mooketsi, Gaoromelwe Pelema, Sebathu Sinombe, Kefilwe Moleleki in the women’s category while another enterprising youngster, Edwin Junior Nyoka will join Charles Diteko, Kaizer Geche, Khumo Kebaletetse and Modisaotsile Mphotho in the men’s category.

Nyoka from the youth team has had a bumper year and is the current national singles champion.

The team will also take part in the African States tournament pencilled for September in Lusaka, Zambia.

Meanwhile, the Orapa bowling club will host the 2026 national championship on the first weekend of May to the 16th. 

The tournament rotates among all the five Botswana bowls affiliates annually. 

Last year the national championships were hosted by the Gaborone club and Jwaneng emerged winners of the overall Rhodes Trophy followed by Francistown, Gaborone, Orapa and Selibe Phikwe. ENDS