04 Sep 2023

The Botswana National darts team Under 18 and 15 categories have been hailed for its impressive performance at the 2023 African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 darts championships in Lusaka, Zambia.

The team emerged the overall winner during the games held from August 29 to September 1 by getting an overall of three gold medals, three silver medals, three bronze medals, and a trophy as the overall winner in both Under 15 and Under 18 categories in the singles, doubles and team event.

Speaking at the welcome ceremony in Francistown on Sunday, head of the delegation and tournament director, Mothusi Moakofi said the team managed to dominate all the categories due to their commitment, love and dedication.

He said the team comprised 16 players from the Under 18 and Under 15 with each category made up of four boys and four girls.

Moakofi explained that the team’s victory was also motivated by the past national team representatives who emerged champions of the same tournament in the same categories.

He explained that Botswana was a powerhouse when it came to the sport of darts.

The head of the delegation also paid tribute to the parents of the athletes who saw it fit to contribute by digging from their pockets financially in order to make the trip to the tournament a success.

Speaking on behalf of the Mayor of Francistown, Ntshe councillor Eric Mabengano said sports was one sector that had the potential to create employment for Batswana, especially for the youth.

He said the team made the country proud and appealed to the athletes to invest more of their time in playing the sport of darts to keep away from drug and substance abuse.

Councillor Mabengano further indicated that the welcome ceremony was held in Francistown because most of the athletes were from the second city and north of Dibete.

He also thanked the parents of the athletes for allowing their children to participate in the annual tournament despite the financial hardships they encountered on the trip.

The team’s gold medals were courtesy of Moitshepi Motlogelwa from Thabologang Junior Secondary School in Borolong, Fabreg Gomang of Morula High School in Selebi Phikwe, Tiiso Matseka of

Montsamaisa Junior Secondary School in Francistown and Floyed Bakaang of Tadabigwa Junior Secondary School in Gerald Estate.

Another gold medal was won by the Under 15 boys in doubles, whilst the last gold medal went to Captain Lame Poloka of the University of Botswana who also won a trophy.

The silver medals went to the Under 18 girls (doubles), team event and under 15 boys in the doubles whilst the bronze medals went to the Under 15 boys (doubles) even though they were defeated at the finals.

Under 15 girls (doubles) also got a bronze medal including the team event/game which also scoped a bronze medal.

Zimbabwe scooped second position, followed by the hosts Zambia whilst position four went to South Africa with eSwatini as the last. ENDS