07 May 2024

Over 45 bowlers have converged in Jwaneng for the 47th Botswana Bowling Nationals Tournament which started on May 4 and scheduled to end on May 11. 

The prestigious tournament, which has attracted players from Gaborone, Francistown, Selebi Phikwe, Orapa and Jwaneng clubs, will see winners of the men and ladies’ singles representing Botswana at the Champion of Champions in China next year.

Officially opening the tournament on Saturday, Botswana Bowling Association (BBA) president, Kitso Robert said the competition was an opportune time for participants to attract spectators and recruit members to their clubs and grow the sport. 

Robert also urged the leadership to utilise resources at their disposal to improve the standards, especially targeting grassroots development.

“We can do better as the association to improve where we are and achieve Tier 1. 

We are on our way there, we have the equipment that can be used in schools to sensitise the youth about our sport, courtesy of Re Ba Bona Ha,” he said.

He further urged participants to play their role in soliciting sponsorships for their sporting code, which he said was a challenge across the whole sporting fraternity.

He said sharing their achievements publicly could also go a long way in attracting sponsors.

“Funding is a challenge to all sporting codes, it is a big struggle, and therefore I urge all of you to sing with one voice. 

All of us must be involved in organising sponsorship, we have friends, family members, government influential officials, business partners and others. We must all be involved because organising sponsorship is not the sole responsibility of the executive,” he said.

For his part, Jwaneng Bowling Club chairperson, Regent Reid said as the home of the Re Ba Bona Ha programme, they were committed to growing sport from grassroots level by targeting pupils from schools in Jwaneng and surrounding areas. 

Reid said since the Re Ba Bona Ha launch, they continued to work hard towards recruiting young people to their club, grow the sport legacy and ensure continuity for the future.

“Jwaneng is the hub of Re Ba Bona Ha and I want to take this opportunity to let you know that as Jwaneng Bowling Club we have worked hard to make sure that we recruit youth to the club. 

I will introduce you to the recently recruited youth bowlers who are training with us, and urge you to watch the space for these new talents,” he said.

Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) marketing and communications manager, Anderson Nlisana applauded the BBA for their dedication in ensuring sport development through the Re Ba Bona Ha programme. 

He urged them to continue working hard and aiming for the Tier 1 category, which would improve their sponsorship prospects. ENDS