23 Apr 2026

The national bowling team is in training camp ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2026, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland in July as well as the African States Bowling Tournament, which will be held in Zambia in September.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, team head coach Baven Balendra said the team would be in camp the entire week.

Balendra expressed confidence in his team, which he said has experience, especially because it included players with international exposure.

“I am confident in the team, which will be partaking in these competitions. We are currently on training camp for skill training as well as preparing our team psychologically. We have a mix of bowlers who will be participating in these two competitions.”

Balendra noted that he is confident that the team would perform well at the Commonwealth Games.

“Our minimum target is to reach the quarter finals; however, we also aim higher than that,” he said.

Meanwhile, some players have expressed gratitude to have been chosen to represent the country.

Sebathu Sinombe, who will be participating for the very first time in international overseas competitions, expressed happiness to be part of the team.

“I am as excited and nervous at the same time. We will be playing indoors. Here it’s only outdoors. The indoor is said to be faster than outdoors,” she said.

She started her bowling journey in 2014 at Clifton School in Francistown but started playing professionally in 2022 when she joined, her current Gaborone Bowling Club.

Sinombe, who will be participating in pairs said she is well-prepared for the games appreciated the training camp for helping to sharpen players’ skills as well as preparing them mentally and psychologically.

For Modisaotsile Maphotho, one of the males who will partake in the singles, it is a great experience and an exciting moment as well.

Maphotho said he is ready and proud to represent the country.

“I am familiar with playing indoors, it is level and fast. We are going there to learn new things but we also aim to bring something home,” he said. 

Maphotho said the camp is very important as it offers bowlers a platform to sharpen their skills and to also catch the rhythm and momentum required.

Edwin Nyoka, a 20-year-old who will be participating in the African States Bowling Tournament, has also expressed gratitude to be playing internationally for the first time.

Nyoka, who is also a nominee of the Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year said it is an exciting and a bigger achievement for him.

 “The training (during the camp) enhances our skill, technique and thinking, it turns good bowlers into great bowlers,” he said. ENDS