04 Oct 2023

The Karabo Gare Independence Sports Tournament gives players from various sporting codes a platform to be exposed to scouts and eventually recruited by elite clubs.

Speaking during the awards ceremony in Moshupa on Monday, Moshupa/Manyana MP and main sponsor of the tournament, Karabo Gare, said sport was not only for entertainment but could be a source of employment.

“We believe that in the near future, there would be players in elite leagues recognised through this tournament,” he added.

Gare, who is also the Minister of Entrepreneurship, assured his constituents that the tournament, through their support and cooperation, would continue to realise growth of sport in the district, hence employment creation.

Giving an overview of the tournament, organising committee chairperson, David Baruti, said the tournament assisted teams to prepare for the commencement of the league, since it had been ongoing for a few weeks.

“The players’ fitness would be at a better level when the league starts,” he added.

He said individual awards would motivate players to work hard in their trade and also attract other youth to partake in the sport, with the hope to one day win such prizes.

He said the tournament had also motivated the formation of women football teams in the district, which he said was a step in the right direction towards growth of sport and attracting women to football.

The tournament was made up of different sporting codes being football, both men and women, netball and volleyball.

Under the men’s football category, they were grouped according to their villages and there was another group of Moshupa SORFA League teams, which also took part.

In the SORFA League teams category, Kgabosetso Southern Callies finished in position one, winning P7 000, followed by Magotlhwane Young Brothers, walking away with P6 000.

Dynamos won P5 000 on third position and Cloud Busters finished on fourth position and walked away with P4 000.

Lotlhakane/Ralekgetho, Ntlhantlhe/Ranaka and Pitseng all had four winners each, with prize money ranging from P4 000 to P7 000.

Best goalkeeper of the tournament was won by Thabang Moisapula from Kgabosetso; best young player of the tournament was won by Tsholofelo Molebatsi from Kgabosetso. Kolagano Calvin from Magotlhwane FC scooped best player; best coach went to Thomas Koma from Kgabosetso and top goal scorer was won Lentle Keoreke from Kgabosetso.

Each of them walked away with P200, courtesy of Aluminium Experts Botswana. ENDS