Uproar over Golf Junior team player's eligibility
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday March 24, 2026 09:30
Maya Iyre and others have been sent to compete in the All Africa Junior Golf Trophy championship which is set for March 22-27. The complaints are against the inclusion of 12 year old Iyre, who is an Indian passport holder residing in Botswana. According to one parent who spoke to Sport Monitor on condition of anonymity, in the All Africa Junior Golf Trophy, players are required to represent the country of their nationality.
Equally, the source highlighted that a country cannot freely field a non-citizen unless specific eligibility conditions are met, and in most cases, they are not allowed.
“Fielding a non-citizen is treated as a serious eligibility violation, and the consequences can be significant for both the player and the country’s federation. Under Africa Golf Confederation (AGC) competition rules and standard amateur golf regulations, immediate disqualification, loss of titles, medals and rankings.
“There can also be suspension or sanctions, reputational damage and a formal investigation process can be lodged. The whole team is in jeopardy if rules are not followed,” the source added.
Iyre secured herself a slot in the team following a win during a playoff. At one moment, due to the pressure from the parents, the player’s father made a decision to withdraw his child from the team to avoid possible disqualification, loss of credibility and damage to the reputation of Botswana Golf Union (BGU).
BGU president, Derrick Musa, told Sport Monitor that he was aware of the parents’ complaints but selection was clear, all players who are part of the junior monthly league were invited to trials.
He added that the team was selected on merit.
“If the parents are saying the player does not deserve to be in the team, I do not understand them,” Musa said.
“They have not come out clear to us that they are not happy with the selection criteria that has not been raised with BGU. The championship requirement allows that if you have a junior player resident in Botswana, they have an exemption for that.”
He revealed that Iyre is 12 years, has not made a decision on nationality and she is part of the BGU development programme.
Musa explained they requested for an exemption and it has happened before, the golf community is small and want to be inclusive. Additionally, he said the player is not sponsored by BNSC but her parents.
He further stated that preparations for the competition started in January with trials which were both for the junior and senior teams.
He said that for Kenya, they selected three girls, and the tournament procedure is that the two best scores are selected every day, while for the four boys, three scores count every day.
Musa noted that some of the juniors are based in South Africa.
“We sent a team to the Golf RSA International tournament, it was a senior team but included some junior players. Each player has their coach, and we do not want to disturb that. At the national level, there is a coordinator to ensure that a team is selected. Developed countries such as Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa travel with personal coaches,” he stated.
Musa said the finances were a challenge, just to get funds to sponsor the team. He said the tournament normally happens in April, but had to approach Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) that dates had been changed.
The team: Girls: Maru Chokwe, Tuduetso Onyadile, and Iyre. Boys: Thomo Mokgatle, Leago Molefe, Letso Keseabetswe, and Mowana Chokwe.