Top bowler Modutlwa takes sabbatical
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday January 21, 2023 06:00
However, Modutlwa told Mmegi Sport that she remains active at club level and will continue to represent the Gaborone Bowling Club.
“I have informed the executive committee and national selectors that it is time for me to take sabbatical leave from bowls, as it is my intention to spend more time looking for a job.
I have been living off my savings since August 2021 after I quit my job,” she said.
Modutlwa has informed the BBA president, Kitso Robert that she will carry out her existing commitment as director of bowls until February when her two-year term comes to an end. She has, however, not decided on the length of her sabbatical leave. “I will not be seeking re-election as director of bowls at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM).
I will hand over items of importance,” she said. Modutlwa has informed the national team selectors that she will not be available for national team selection until her return.
The selectors are due to select a team that will compete at the upcoming Quadrangular tournament in South Africa, as well as the 2023 African State Tournament (AST) and World Bowls Championships. “The thing is, once I find a job, I will be on probation so I need time to get settled into the job. I will not feel comfortable asking them for sport leave to go and represent Botswana this year when I have just started. Playing for the national team is a huge commitment, on top of executive committee responsibilities.
I had too much on my shoulders. Do not get me wrong, I have enjoyed it, and have loved it, but this year I need to prioritise my livelihood,” she admitted. Modutlwa is one of the most decorated local bowlers. At the 2022 World Singles Champion of Champions in New Zealand, she reached the quarterfinals and qualified for the top six.
She lost to New Zealand in the play-off, the best performance ever for a Botswana player at that particular tournament. Modutlwa has represented Botswana at many international competitions such as AST, Commonwealth Games as well as the Atlantic Championships and at the World Bowls Indoor Championships. During the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Modutlwa was part of the women’s Fours team. Other members were Boikhutso Mooketsi, Tshenolo Moshokgo and Lesego Motladiile.
The team finished above Scotland and Australia in the group stage, and narrowly lost to New Zealand in the quarterfinal, robbing them of a medal. Modutlwa cut her teeth in bowling in 2014 making her national team debut at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. She used to play softball until her last World Championships in 2010.