09 Mar 2014

Central region emerged champions of the 2014 Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association (BOPSSA) games held in the North West region over the weekend.

The region walked away with a trophy and 35 medals in which 18 were gold medals, 10 were silver and seven were bronze medals.

South region which scooped the second position walked away with a trophy and 18 medals followed by Kweneng region with a trophy and 23 medals .  The host region, North West which was last year’s champions got the fifth position with two medals. 

Despite the fact that the North West region was in an area with wealth of talent in terms of sport performance and development in the country, some teachers expressed disappointment regarding its performance. 

Part of the region particularly Okavango schools did not turn up for the competitions hence a decline in performance.

About 10 regions participated in the competitions and the games were geared towards selecting a team which would represent Botswana in the forthcoming Confederation of Southern African School Sports Association games slated for April 13 to 19 in Gaborone.

Giving closing remarks, the technical manager for Botswana National Sports Council, Bobby Gaseitsiwe thanked the athletes for taking part in the competitions noting that they were representing their regions and themselves as well.

He also thanked coaches and teachers for the commitment in exploring and nurturing children’s talent at an early age. 

He noted that it was imperative that children were introduced to sport at an early age adding that it was a welcome development as it was an indication that children were developing and gaining skills. 

Gaseitsiwe said grass root sport development was crucial for it creates opportunities and also opens doors for the children. 

“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,” he added.

He encouraged the selected athletes to train hard in their respective regions noting that they should not only depend on the coaches. 

Gaseitsiwe also praised BOPSSA for a job well done in terms of sports development. He said BNSC recognise their achievements and encouraged the management to continue with the good work.

Maun businessman who contributed P5 000 towards the event, Reaoboka Mbulawa said every foundation of child development was done at tender age and that was where BOPSSA comes in. 

“Every early age skill learning of any kind is done at the age of five years. In view of this, BOPSSA found it fit to take sport skill development to all primary schools in this country hence showing this nation that sport at grassroots level is very important.”

Mbulawa noted that for athletes to perform well in top class competitions such as Olympics, world competitions and others, they should have good fundamental skills at early age. Ends