29 Jun 2023

Botswana Netball Association (BONA) and SKL Safari Company have launched the second edition of the Fast 5 netball tournament to be held in Maun from July 16-17.

The official launch and draw, conducted at Crocodile Camp Lodge on Wednesday, culminated into a three-year sponsorship deal of P238 000 between BONA and SKL.

The tournament will feature about 16 teams across the country, with each comprising five players, in a knockout system where winners will proceed to the quarterfinals.

Participating teams will include BDF Cats, which will take on Vipers, Thamaga Jaspers will face Boteti River Giants while Thunderbolts will play against Prisons Netball Club.

The newly established Maun Heroes Club will face Police, Nico United versus Uprising Stars while UB Crystals take on Tasc and Jwaneng will welcome Tafic.

Speaking after the launch, BONA vice president - technical, Onkabetse Kesekang appreciated SKL’s support towards revival and growth of netball in the country.

Kesekang said the tournament started last year and had brought vibe in the netball fraternity given that there were no activities undertaken by the association.

“SKL came to our rescue to start the Fast 5 tournament, which brought a lot of achievements to the association as it helped both our senior women and men’s teams to qualify for some international competitions. The women’s team brought a trophy from Singapore. We thank SKL for the great achievements,” he said.

Kesekang revealed that Botswana had, for the time, qualified to participate in the World Youth Fast 5 tournament to be held in Trinidad and Tobago from August 4-11.

“Botswana qualified because it was one of the two countries that hosted the tournament,” he said.

He said the association intended to ensure Maun became home to the Fast 5 netball tournament.

For his part, SKL chief executive officer, Reaboka Mbulawa said they would review the sponsorship deal when it ends next year.

“We will see if we can continue with the initiative. Sport has immense benefits on people’s daily lives and health. Engaging in sporting activities improves physical strength, agility and mental health,” Mbulawa said.

He added that netball games were not common and he was therefore compelled to assist the association to revive the game targeting young girls.

The tournament, he said, also promoted sport tourism and resuscitated the tourism industry post COVID-19.

“Some businesses are still struggling to bounce back, but the event will help to promote domestic tourism and eventually benefit local businesses. Through this tournament, we want to make Maun a destination of choice in terms of sport tourism,” he added.

Mbulawa also underscored the need to have more sporting activities in Maun as a way of reducing the number of idle youths and keeping them away from alcohol and substance abuse.

Meanwhile, Mbulawa donated a netball kit to Maun Heroes Club ahead of their game against Police next month.

Matlapana’s Councillor, Kobamelo Baikgodisi thanked the company for contributing to sport development and growth in the Ngamiland region, which would in turn promote sport tourism in the area. ENDs