14 Jan 2024

Four American cheerleading coaches’ are due in the country next month to train local cheerleading instructors on the finer points of the sport and to elevate the standards of the craft.

Botswana Cheerleading Federation president, Neo Selwe said the four coaches would arrive early next month and would train local cheering instructors on various strategies that would raise the standard of cheerleading locally.

She said although cheerleading was a competitive sport with international recognition, it had not yet acquired the necessary traction, and that it was important to acquire skills, tactics and knowledge that would enhance local standards.

Selwe said the training came at the appropriate time since it would introduce novel approaches to safety, skill development and preventive care, adding that the training would help them to compete in international events.

She said the majority of their athletes in cheerleading codes still struggled with critical skills such as timing, coordination, tumbling and backflips.

However, she said she was optimistic that the knowledge and experience that Americans would impart would help their athletes to get better.

Selwe also urged other stakeholders to join them in promoting and modernising the cheering sports codes as well as to raise the bar for all those who choose to follow the sport.

“Cheerleading is a sport that has the ability to build character, instil discipline and teach resilience,” she said, adding that it was not just about entertainment as some people might think.

“Only by working together with all stakeholders will we be able to overcome the obstacles we face,” she said. ENDS