“At last year’s Olympic Games, some new laws were put in place and others scrapped. So we must move with the times and adhere to whatever new rules are put in place. There are also many new referees who will be officiating in some of the games, so they need to be taught and briefed on the rules so that by the time they start officiating, they do not struggle.”
Thipe also expressed gratitude at the response they have received from aspiring referees. “Our league will be starting without a sponsor and this means even the referees will not be paid as they are volunteers. But the list of people who are keen to officiate without being paid is overwhelming. This shows that Batswana are keen to help even when there is no money. I appreciate their interest,” he said.
Thipe added that an official from the Department of Arts and Culture from the University of Botswana will conduct the two-day clinic. Today the clinic will start at 5pm while tomorrow it starts at 8am.
Meanwhile the national basketball league will start on March 19. BBA spokesman Thandi Tumelo said they have already distributed the fixtures to the 14 men’s teams and the four women’s sides. They are currently waiting for the response of team officials.
“The national league will start next week, and we have already dispatched the fixtures. At the moment, we have not received any complaints from the team officials and that gives the green light to the league to go on as planned.”
Tumelo added that second round fixtures have been released together with first round fixtures unlike before.
Some of the team officials are happy that the league is finally taking off. The manager of Drillers Jason Shito told Mmegi Sport that his team is destined for greater achievements this year because they have always been active.
“Since last year when the league ended, we have been training and played a few friendly games. My players are now in shape and match fit. They can’t wait for the first whistle. We have added three more players to bolster our team, and hopefully, we will finish in a reputable position as compared to last year,” he said.
He expressed concern about lack of financial sponsorship for the league, saying it is going to drain their resources because they are going to be forced to dig into their pockets.
Manager and captain of Vixens, Lame Gaowele said her team faces a mammoth task because by the time the league starts, she will not have regular players. Most of her players are students in South Africa.
“By the time the league starts, I will be using mostly inexperienced players because I have just recruited them from secondary schools.
Most of my reliable players are students in South Africa and they have already left. But as time goes by, my new recruits will gain experience,” she said. Last year Vixens finished second in the league.
