Botswana is producing good badminton players - coach

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Friday July 31, 2009 00:00

He said that for the past five years, the level of competition at junior secondary schools has been low but they have started encouraging children to start playing the game at an early age. He expressed hope that in five years, Botswana will compete at the highest level. Kandju was speaking after the end of the national badminton championships for junior secondary schools last weekend at St. Joseph's Senior Secondary School. He coaches Makalamabedi Junior Secondary School, which scooped three medals at the championships. The school took three players to the competition with Pretty Buka winning gold in the girls' singles before partnering Kaovisire Katjimune for another gold in the doubles. Buka and Odirile Madome combined to win silver in the mixed doubles.

Kandju said that the achievement is due to the fact that they took the competition seriously and therefore prepared thoroughly. He praised Buka in particular for her sterling performance, especially in the singles where she outwitted Dintwe Malepa from Bobonong Junior School. Kandju said Buka prepared thoroughly to defeat Malepa who has always given her a tough time. Both players are in the national team.