Phikwe bags Botsogo Tuli Trophy
CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent
SELEBI-PHIKWE: Hosts Selebi-Phikwe Bowling Club (PBC) lifted this year's edition of the Botsogo Tuli Trophy over the weekend ahead of Gaborone and Francistown. The quartet of Oabona Motladiile, John Gaborutwe, Dix and Nelly Senna won the day for the home side in the event contested by 14 clubs.
Meanwhile, Selebi-Phikwe Bowling Club has elected a new committee with Botswana Bowling Association (BBA) spokesperson, Lebo Mascarenhas as chairperson. Though Mascarenhas relocated with her husband, Ray, to Orapa Bowling Club, she has returned after a request by members of Selebi-Phikwe Club. "We left the club to play for Orapa due to internal politics. I think such politics does not exist anymore and people who were there during that time have learnt a lesson. We will not tolerate people who come from outside and mess up things. Such people will be brought to book and BBA will intervene.
Ever since our arrival in Orapa, the club was winning all the major tournaments and we want the same thing to happen in Selebi-Phikwe," she said.
Mascarenhas said they were advised by BBA president, Kitso Robert to consider returning to Selebi-Phikwe as the club was dying a slow death. She said for the first time, the club has rented out its bar as it has no money to re-stock. Its greens were closed after the nationals early this year. "John Gaborutwe, Dix Senna and their spouses have been the only bowlers who have been representing this club during major tournaments across the country and Mafikeng. I really respect them for that. It was hard but they stood by it when everyone had given up. We have come back to resuscitate the club and we expect everyone to do their part," Mascarenhas said.
The new committee is made up of Ray Mascarenhas as the competition secretary, Oabona Motladiile as the greens' keeper, John Gaborutwe is the treasurer and bar manager while Dix Senna is the secretary. Lebo Mascarenhas said Phikwe bowlers have not been playing for a long time and they only started training last week when the green was opened.
