09 Sep 2024

The Botswana Sport Volunteers Movement (SVM), an affiliate of Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC), would volunteer their expertise to the Matlhagolatsela programme. 

Speaking in an interview with BOPA during the association’s fund raising activities at the Serowe Sports Complex that culminated with a four teams tourney on Saturday, Serowe SVM Region chairperson,  Solomon Dikgang, highlighted the need to volunteer in sport at both grassroots development and elite level. 

Dikgang, who graduated from the Norway Sport Volunteers Instructors Course in 2014, said he has trained over 300 sport volunteers across the country that were inducted in protocol and ushering during games. He said sport volunteers were drilled to volunteer their expertise in the newly introduced government’s school sports programme dubbed Matlhagolatsela. 

He said in a significant move to reinvigorate youth sport development in the country, the government, through the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, reintroduced school sport across Botswana through the newly launched Matlhagolatsela Sport Programme, a move he described as a commendable effort and healthy for sport. 

He reiterated that the movement was ready to partake in the programme as it would be rolled out across the country in various schools to give children the opportunity in sport and accord them the opportunity to reach their full potential in various sporting codes. 

Dikgang shared that the association boasts of doctors, nurses, teachers, coaches, journalists and referees, among others, that were contributing to sport development at both grassroots and elite levels, pointing their contribution to the Matlhagolatsela programme would enhance its quality. 

He said the movement was formed in 2000 in Botswana and launched in April 2001 to complement the efforts of the BNSC to achieve its objectives by fostering the spirit of volunteerism in different sporting codes across the country. 

Dikgang said SVMs were a flagship global initiative that connects skilled volunteers with receiving organisations, such as events’ organisers, sport organisations, NGOs, foundations, and other strategic partners from sport and beyond, marking a significant milestone in promoting volunteerism in sport. Meanwhile, he said the fundraising event was the first of its kind and expressed gratitude to all who contributed to its success. 

He said the event also aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles through engaging in wellness games so as to create awareness about the need to exercise. 

Dikgang added that the proceeds would help to run day-to-day activities of the association given that it was a non-profit making entity. 

Moreover, he said such games were a way to encourage people to indulge in exercises to keep fit and curb Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), arguing that if every Motswana was in good health, such a move would see a nosedive in health expenditure both by government and members of the public and therefore money can be channeled to other areas of need. 

Bolo Ko Mothong Football Club was crowned champions of Botswana SVM four-team tourney after walloping Bakgalajwe FC 6-3 in 90 minutes of football flair, and walking away with a trophy and P1 800. 

Bakgalajwe FC were runner-up taking P1 400 while Bametsi FC weent home with P1 000 after scooping the third position. 

Remmogo FC got a consolation prize of P800 and though outclassed through goals, the team displayed quality football skills but failed to pocket maximum points. Ends