Centres of Sports Excellence yield results
02 Sep 2024
Radisele Junior Secondary School (JSS) is the torch bearer and shining example of the government’s commitment and contribution to sport development in the country.
Alongside Artesia and Okavango JSSs, the trio were designated as Centres of Sports Excellence (CSE) by Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) with the aim to integrate academics, sport and support services towards holistic development of athletes.
Since the inception of this programme in 2011, Radisele JSS has been at the forefront, providing opportunities to train learners to reach their full potential in sport.
“Radisele CSE has contributed immensely to unearthing and identification of talent, and sports development in the country, particularly football and volleyball for both boys and girls,” said the man behind the success of this programme, Selebaleng Odisitse, senior teacher - Sports at Radisele JSS.
Through his dedication, hard work and commitment, he stepped up and significantly aided the turning of Radisele into a CSE of choice by producing quality players that were assimilated into the national team and elite teams in the Botswana Premier League and First Division sides.
The school is also known for producing quality sports persons in different sporting codes.
Despite meagre resources at his disposal, ‘Palmer’ as he is affectionately known in sport cycles, produces top notch athletes and he is committed in ensuring that youngsters realise their dreams of earning a living through sports and super stardom.
Radisele CSE has produced a bunch of football and volleyball stars in the likes of Ontlametse ‘Neymar’ Gaonyadiwe, who is Gaborone United Ladies team top striker and also the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) 2024 Women’s Football Championship golden boot and player of the tournament.
She is a regular member of Women’s National Football team - The Mares and is a thorn in the flesh of quite a number of quality defenders. That on its own bears testimony that centres of sports excellence are true to their name - yielding excellent results.
The school also prides itself with seasoned players such as; Mitchell Abueng, the rising star of Botswana women’s football who has been making waves on the pitch since her debut with The Mares in 2019.
She is plying her trade in Zambia at Yasa Queens football club, a move that illustrate CSE’s ‘mettle’.
Maduo Radijeng, who is a pillar for Under 20 women’s football team and a steel curtain defender also played for Botswana National Under 17 Women’s Team in 2022, thus illustrating that Palmer’s achievement is no small feat.
Gorata Mogakolodi, a resourceful utility player who also featured in The Mares lineup also had her performances catching the eyes of women’s football fanatics, spelling out what the CSE were capable of.
Ladies volleyball is equally doing well, thanks to Radisele CSE products; Rodah Matlhare, who was a key player in volleyball ladies team at The Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association (CUCSA) games in 2022.
The 2022 CUCSA Games were hosted from August 28 to September 3 in Lilongwe, Malawi and featured six Southern African nations namely Botswana, Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, and Zambia.
Queen Matlhare (Best blocker) was also part of Botswana volleyball ladies team that took part in CUCSA 2022 games.
Nametso Ogaketse was part of the volleyball national team that went to Algiers, Algeria to compete at the third edition of Africa Youth Games held from July 18-28, 2018.
CSE are therefore known for producing athletes who take the sport code by storm.
“I am proud of our CSE products. They are doing a great job out there,” said Palmer.
The recruitment process is that Botswana Primary School Sports Association and Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) identify pupils who have the potential to be developed in sports and admit them at Radisele CSE for further development.
However, Palmer explained that such pupils were also expected to focus on academics while at the same time they were given the opportunity to train for various sporting codes.
“We admitted students from various places across the country,” he said.
The success of Radisele CSE can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of Palmer together with his team of dedicated teachers who go an extra mile to provide pupils with the necessary tools to excel in sports.
BNSC, which is the custodian of this programme, stepped in to assist the school with the construction of volleyball and futsal courts as well as ablution block, though the courtsare still under construction.
“Once completed, this infrastructure will enable us to enhance training and help equip students with more skills to improve their performance,” he said.
In addition to this infrastructure, the school needs equipment such as soccer boots, balls, kit for the two sporting codes as well as improved diet.
Though school sports have been suspended for some time, this centre has kept things rolling for the benefit of sports.
“In 2022 we competed in Pan African Games and scooped a silver medal. We welcome the government’s decision to resuscitate school sports because it plays a critical role in the development of sports in the country,” he said.
A beneficiary of this programme, Thabang Molatelele, who is plying his trade in Botswana’s elite league, is thrilled to have passed through Radisele CSE, attributing his passion for football and growth to the centre.
“Radisele CSE contributed a lot in bringing out my talent. The centre helped a lot in shaping our personalities.”
After completing his Junior Certificate, Molatelele once played for the national Under 20 team and was admitted to Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School CSE to further his football training.
It was then that he was signed by Molepolole and later joined Morupule Wanderers, where he helped the team to get a promotion from First Division league to Premier league. Ends
Source : BOPA
Author : Kgotsofalang Botsang
Location : Selebi Phikwe
Event : Sport Thematic Pullout
Date : 02 Sep 2024