20 Nov 2024

 Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) will finish the year in style by hosting Zone VI Senior Club Championships from December 5 -15 in Gaborone.

 A total of 10 countries are expected to arrive a day before the start of the tournament at Ditshupo Hall where four courts have been erected.

Ndibo Lebala, BVF vice-president-administration) said the federation could not host the games in four different halls in Gaborone because of inadequate facilities to host games of that magnitude.

He said the only halls that could host the games were University of Botswana and Ditshupo Hall, but they opted for the latter because it met the demand of setting up four courts in one place.

Lebala said the games’ normal set up allowed for two teams per gender per country whilst the hosting team was allocated an extra slot of three teams per gender.

He however said this year’s games would change from the normal number of entrants as they plan to increase the number of teams from 44 as they were in Lesotho last year to 64.

Lebala said such would mean it will be around 896 players or 1 152 when inclusive of team officials, apart from match officials who accounted to 80 people.

He also said they expected the numbers to increase as fans come to support their teams.

Explaining the format of the games of 64 teams, that is 32 women’s teams and 32 men’s teams, he said they would be divided into eight pools of four teams.

He said upon completion of the first round of the group stages, the winners of the pools will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Lebala said teams from position nine to 24 would be ranked and battle it out in a knockout qualifier to join eight pool winners to play a pre-quarter final qualifier.

He said quarter-final winners go into the semi-final then the finals later.

Lebala said that in terms of gate takings the federation was uncertain whether to charge a fee or allow free entrance as has been always the case in previous games.Speaking on the economic benefits of the games, he said the games were of significance.

“Batswana as hosts would be providing accommodation, catering services,” he noted.

Furthermore, he said that companies or corporates had been invited to market their businesses as well.

Lebala said they were expecting a stunning performance from the local teams thanks to the government by disbursing funds to sponsor the league, hence improving performance of the teams.

“The local clubs are well prepared and I understand they are in camps in preparation of these games. I believe as hosts, it would be advantageous for our teams to outclass the tough opponents such as Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique to mention a few,” he said.

He added that Last year in Lesotho, Kutlwano ladies got silver whilst the men’ s teams returned empty handed.

“I think as hosts, we should use these games to retain our glory days of being champions,” said Lebala.

He pleaded with individuals, institutions, companies and corporates to give any sort of support so to assist the federation host a successful tournament.

“Let the public do its best to help us prepare for these games. The little that one can contribute would make a difference. If you invest into these games, you are investing in the economy of Botswana,” he said. Ends