18 Mar 2014

Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng has commended the Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) for supporting the development of young athletes.

Speaking at the northern zone athletics final in Maun, Reikeletseng said BISA had been instrumental in nurturing young talent despite the meagre resources at their disposal. He commended BISA for organising a successful competition.

“These finals come at a time when sporting activities have picked momentum in the whole country, particularly school and youth sports. That’s why we have so many people gathered here to compete and lend support,” he said.

He further encouraged BISA and schools to hold discussions and formulate ways through which they could encourage more students to participate in sports, adding that serious participation would ensure success and a long lasting legacy.

Reikeletseng revealed that the sporting fraternity will be busy in days to come, as BISA will host the Confederation of School Sport Association of Southern Africa (COSSASA) games at the end of this month, followed by regional championships, which will be a dress rehearsal ahead of the much anticipated Gaborone 2014 African Youth Games that will come at the end of May.

To ensure future success, Reikeletseng encouraged the leadership to put more emphasis on development and coaching at all levels.

He said coaching must be strong at school level because it is where a significant foundation must be built. BISA acting chief executive officer, Modiri Mokobela said the northern zone has been influential in the history of sports in Botswana, as it has produced and continues to produce top athletes who put the country on the international map and inspire younger athletes to aim for more success.

He added that the sponsorship offered by Line Feed will help the northern zone to overcome the problems of shortage of funds and achieve success. Mokobela explained that Line Feed will sponsor the northern zone with P300 000 over the next three years and hopefully beyond that.

The sponsor will also provide merchandise for sale and share part of the proceeds with the northern zone.

The competitions were won by Maun Senior Secondary School with 36 medals composing of 15 gold medals, 14 silver and seven bronze medals. Masunga Senior Secondary School took second position with 41 medals, 15 gold, nine silver and 17 bronze medals, while third position was scooped by Nata Senior Secondary School with 27 medals comprising eight gold, 12 silver and seven bronze medals. In the junior school category, position one went to Batanani Junior Secondary School with 11 medals comprising nine gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

Orapa JSS took position two with 17 medals comprising seven gold, three silver and seven bronze medals, while Moeti Junior Secondary School took position three with 10 medals comprising five gold, one silver and four bronze medals. ENDS