P1m into volleyball league
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday March 9, 2026 09:16
Mobilisation fees are budgeted at P567,840, with each of the 21 clubs receiving P21,840 each. The cost for league administration stands at P199,960, whilst prize money has been budgeted at P122,500 for the men's league and P110,500 is reserved for women.
The league kicks off tomorrow (March 7), and matches will be played across regional hubs including Lobatse, Otse, Serowe, Francistown, Gaborone, Thebephatshwa Air Base, and Molepolole HIS. Giving the league overview, Monica Alfred, a member of the BVF marketing commission, said there will be 14 men and 12 women clubs in the league, which will be played in a single round robin format.
The format will mean that every team will face all other opponents once during the season, with fixtures spread across regional centres to maximise visibility. She said at the conclusion of the round robin, the club that has accumulated the most points will be declared the league champion. “Clubs that are eligible to participate in NVL should have paid their 2026 annual subscriptions. The Botswana Volleyball Federation rules and regulations, aligned with FIVB standards, apply at all stages of the league,” she said.
Alfred said the NVL is designed to resuscitate volleyball in Botswana. She said the league strengthens volleyball development, empowers local talent, and adds to Botswana’s profile in international volleyball.
“Clubs will be allocated mobilisation grants to attend games. The top three clubs in both the men’s and women’s leagues will receive cash prizes, a trophy and medals. The structure is designed to reward excellence and motivate clubs,” Alfred said.
The men's teams are BDF VI, Motlakase, Block Busters, Dikwena, Itekeng, Klavango, Mafolofolo, Mag Stimela, Prisons, Police, Sebokeng, Spiking Stars, and Yaros.
In the women's section, there are BDF, Dikwena, Dynamites, Kalavango, Kutlwano, Mafolofolo, Mag Stimela, Police, Prisons, Sebokeng, Spiking Stars, and Yaros.
Speaking during the sponsorship unveiling at Cresta President Hotel, BNSC director of sport development, Peaceful Seleka, said that in 2022, the government made a decision to support team sport.
“We knew that it was going to be difficult for team sport to secure sponsorship after the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “And it was not going to secure sponsorship without action, because companies needed to see action before they could decide to partner with a sport code. But we are not saying that we neglect individual sport.”
Seleka said the sporting codes that are assisted are boxing, basketball, cricket, netball, rugby, softball and volleyball. He stated that the financial assistance is not a permanent arrangement and sporting codes must find a way to secure sponsorship. He added that the BNSC will host an indoor sport festival at the Royal Aria Stadium tomorrow. The sporting codes that will take part in the festival are volleyball, basketball, table tennis, and judo.