28 Aug 2026

In the absence of school sports, local coaches and school sports administrators have been implored to explore grassroots development of young athletes through formation of small clubs.

These sentiments were shared by Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) sports development manager (technical), Patrick Moesi in an interview following a successful discussion between Maun sports administrators, coaches and a delegation of coaches from the United States of American (USA).

The discussions were focused on athletes’ development and organisation of school competition.

While awaiting the revival of the school sports programme, he underscored the need to give children an opportunity to participate in track and field, learning basic movements. 

He is of the view that early exposure builds long term athletics success, psychological wellbeing and social discipline.

Moesi also explained that the BAA exchange programme with the US does not pave way for the resumption of the school sports, as it was purely a skills sharing initiative.“This initiative focuses on exchange of technical tactics and athletic knowledge with local coaches and sports administrators. 

Moesi further said BAA came up with the initiative as they equally realise that absence of school sports had affected sports development at grassroots level. With the initiative, he said the association aims to survive and strengthen the sport by building a strong foundation of young talent so that when schools sports resume, they will have quality athletes, ready to compete.

He acknowledges that North West region was rich in talent citing that during the sports festival held prior to their meeting with coaches, they had identified raw talent that needed to be nurtured and developed.

BAA deputy president (technical), Kenneth Kikwe also concurred that forming sports clubs that will focus on grassroots development could create structured environments that nurture young talent.

He said regular training will give athletes experience and team building skills. Kikwe also appreciated that the region has an abundance of raw sport talent, stressing that clubs were often the first place where potential was identified and nurtured.

Kikwe also acknowledged that a number of champions in sports were produced from the regions, highlighting that they had engaged Botswana National Sports Commission to consider expanding sports centres, anticipating that starting October more centres would be established.

He also reminded local coaches to knock at BAA doors to be assisted through mentorship and workshops. One of the local coaches, Ralph Ledimo also stated that children were eager to participate in sports, therefore implored fellow coaches and teachers to give them such an opportunity by forming clubs since a specific date for resumption of school sports was not given.

He said grassroots development was behind every successful athlete, therefore advocating for formation of such centres to provide children with opportunities to participate, develop and fall in love with sport.ENDS