18 Jul 2023

BDF Cats beat Police Jungle Queens 32-27 to be crowned 2023 SKL/BONA Fast 5 Netball champions in Maun over the weekend.

BDF walked away with a trophy, gold medals and P7 000 cash price, while Jungle Queens in second spot bagged silver medals and P6 000 with the newly registered Maun Heroes Netball Club scooping bronze medals and P5 000.

Botswana national U-19 team also scooped a gold medal after walloping Re Ba Bona Ha team from Maun 20-14.

Botswana U-19 is expected to participate in the World Youth Fast 4 tournament billed for Trinidad and Tobago from August 4-11.

The tournament was organised by Botswana Netball Association (BONA) in collaboration with SKL Safari Company through their three year sponsorship deal to the tune of P238 000.

Speaking during the awards ceremony, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Philda Kereng thanked SKL Safari and BONA for promoting sport tourism in Maun adding that their efforts were in line with government’s dream of diversifying its tourism products  offered across the country.

The government, she said sought to broaden its tourism base by adding more products and increasing the geographic spread of tourism.

She also noted that government wanted to make Botswana a destination of choice through diversified products, open opportunities for business centres and provide recreational activities.

“The government is looking for diversify its tourism product and this event has the potential to grow the tourism industry and attract more clientele.

We want tourists to stay some days in Maun after appreciating the prestigious Okavango Delta,” she added.

Of late, she said tourists wanted to experience destinations with leisure, recreation and peace.

Kereng further appreciated that the government was also making efforts to promote sport tourism in the country citing its dream to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

If successful, the bid, she said would be a significant milestone to Botswana football fraternity, tourism industry and would boost the economy.

Stakeholders, she said would be expected to construct more sports complexes and lodges.

She also pointed out that sports had the power to change the world, inspire and bring people together.

Kereng said government was concerned with child delinquency and thanked SKL and BONA for coming up with an initiative that helped to keep youth away from streets and instill discipline.

SKL chief executive officer, Reaboka Mbulawa said he saw it fit to partner with BONA to promote sport tourism through the tournament.  

The tournament, he said would be held annually as it also aimed to inspire and protect a girl and boy child from social ills, noting that drug and substance abuse as well as high alcohol consumption were a major concern amongst young people across the country.

“Through the event, we wanted to instill discipline and help build youngsters character so that they focus on achieving their goals in life without any distractions.

This event has the potential to produce stars and responsible citizens which are a required in today’s workforce,’” he added.

BONA acting president, Seipei Gaelesiwe thanked SKL Safari Company for the support noting that the tournament, which started last year, had grown and produced great results. ENDS