10 Feb 2025

Botswana Bowling Association (BBA) has roped in Marea Modutlwa, Baven Balendra and Lesedi Mafoko as the latest committee members of the association during an elective annual meeting over the weekend.

All the three members were unopposed with Modutlwa making history by becoming the first ever woman to challenge for the position of Botswana bowls. She replaced the incumbent vice president Ookeditse Lekang.

BBA elections are staggered with three positions out of six contested for each year. This year, positions that were up for grabs included that of vice president, treasurer and director of bowls. The other three for president, secretary, and competitions secretary will be contested next year.=

Veteran bowler Modutlwa will also serve as the association’s spokesperson. Modutlwa said being the first ever woman vice president of BBA presented a great opportunity to inspire other women into sport leadership positions and encouraged them to broaden their horizons.

Speaking on the sidelines of the annual general meeting held at Gaborone Club on Saturday, Modutlwa said she was overall impressed with the resolutions that delegates took following presentation of proposed motions. Delegates discussed among others the implementation of a rotational hosting plan for major tournaments in the bowls calendar.

Currently, the first major tournament of the year is always hosted in Gaborone, followed by Francistown, Orapa and Jwaneng. The delegates argued that this limited hosting opportunity for other regions affecting exposure, development and participation across different clubs. They proposed that the BBA should adopt a structured rotational system to ensure fair distribution of major tournaments thus enhancing competitiveness in the sport.

The other motion was based on revision of the selection criteria for national lawn bowling team. They argued that the current system disproportionately favoured experienced players, overlooking young emerging talent. They proposed the adoption of a more inclusive, objective and transparent process with a standardised point system.

Modutlwa emphasised that they were pleased with the sport’s young and emerging talent. She said they had also given exposure to some young players in the mold of Chimbi Sinombe and Lesego Motladiile among others who had taken part in national team colours at international meets such as African states tournament and the Commonwealth Games.

She added that they would encourage coaches to review the selection criteria and look at making improvements and adding more objectivity at how players were picked. Modutlwa said they currently had a good mix of young and experienced talent in the national team set up. ENDS