Badminton's SOS call ahead of return
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday November 6, 2020 13:50
BBA will make a return to competitive action in over a year after having their calendar massively disrupted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The association was forced to cancel some of its activities since the outbreak of the novel virus. The association has failed to participate in high profile tournaments including the Club Championship, Botswana International Open, Botswana Open and the African Games.
BBA public relations officer, Modisaotsile Badubi said, despite plans for the tournament going on smoothly, the association is looking for sponsorship. He said the current tournament prize money is P15,200.
“The preparations are going on well. This is going to be our first tournament since last year so we anticipate players to register in large numbers.
Although I do not have the exact figures, I believe by (the time of) closing a lot of players would have registered. This is going to be a tournament for local players only,” Badubi said.
“We would have liked to have international players, but due to the closure of borders, we cannot invite players from outside. We are currently in the hunt for a sponsor, currently the tournament prize money is P15, 200, but we would still accept any kind of gesture so we can have a successful return after a long time.”
The Botswana Open is likely to be the only elite badminton tournament this year, but Badubi said there are talks with clubs to squeeze another competition before the end of the year.
“The executive committee held a two-part meeting with the members to discuss the way forward under the new normal. Tournaments were amongst other things discussed, so we are hoping to probably host another one before we go for the festive season,” Badubi said.