Greens ready as bowlers brace for Orapa Masters
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday October 23, 2026 12:51
Sponsored by Mighty Infinite Services, the tournament brings together club Singles champions from the reigning five sides of Jwaneng, Gaborone, Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe, and Orapa, in both the men’s and women’s categories. They will be joined by the reigning national Singles champions, defending Masters champions, and reigning national Youth champions, with sparks expected to fly in the categories. BBA secretary-general, Edwin Nyoka, told MmegiSport that some players who have been active throughout the year in local competitions and international engagements could be fatigued. “One would also think that they would be looking at bringing that competitive edge from the experience gained from the just-ended national teams’ assignments,” Nyoka said. Meanwhile, Chinky Sinombe of Gaborone Club is one of the players expected to cause an upset in the women’s division.
Sinombe told MmegiSport that she was ready for the Masters Tournament, adding that her career had moved up a notch this year after gaining exposure to indoor greens at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Last month, she also competed at the African States Tournament (AST) in Lusaka, Zambia. “These are competitions that help someone to develop their skills because you meet other bowlers from other nations, get an opportunity to learn from them and learn what they do in their countries to improve the sport.
I have gained a lot of exposure, and I think that will help me over the weekend in Orapa,” she said. Sinombe added that the Masters Tournament was highly competitive and aptly called the Masters for bringing together champions. She added that no opponent could be underestimated, with every player determined to fight for the title. She said every participant would be expected to produce their best performance and be mentally prepared for the challenge. “We have four women from Gaborone, being myself, Marea Modutlwa, Kefilwe Moleleki and Peo Ramodise. It is difficult to play against people from your own club because they are the people you are usually paired with and practise with.
They know my strengths and weaknesses, and I know theirs. It is usually tenser when playing against people from your own club than opponents from other clubs. “I become nervous when I play those games because you never know what can happen, but expect the best from me,” Sinombe said. Khumo Kebalatetse of Selebi-Phikwe Club faces a strong men’s field that includes defending Masters champion and former long-serving BBA president Kitso Robert, as well as rising youngster and Singles champion Edwin Junior Nyoka.
Kebalatetse said he was ready for the competition but expected a few upsets. “Remember, we have Junior Nyoka, an exciting player who has just returned from the World Bowls Singles Champion of Champions. I see him causing an upset in the men’s category. Robert has also been dominating the Masters Tournament, and I foresee a strong battle in the men’s competition, although we expect the same in the women’s category,” he added.
Kebalatetse said Junior Nyoka was developing well as a bowler, having competed at his first World Championship on an indoor carpet surface. He added that Nyoka had won some games, whilst his defeats were largely due to a lack of experience.
The players Men: Baven Balendra (Francistown), Kaizer Geche (Orapa), Kitso Robert (Orapa), Edwin Junior Nyoka (Orapa), Khumo Kebalatetse (Selebi-Phikwe), Kabo Gaboutloeloe (Gaborone), Dennis Olatotse (Gaborone), and Joseph Keorotse (Jwaneng). Women: Molly Douma (Francistown), Nelly Senna (Selebi-Phikwe), Tshenolo Moshokgo (Orapa), Onkokame Podisi (Orapa), Marea Modutlwa (Gaborone), Kefilwe Moleleki (Gaborone), Chinky Sinombe (Gaborone), and Peo Ramodise (Gaborone). polls.