Handball pushes for BISA inclusion
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday August 12, 2016 14:18
Handball is relatively new in the country and is still battling for popularity. National team coach, Harvinder Singh Dhalwal said the HAB executive committee is working around the clock to finalise a proposal to BISA to be included in their programmes.
“The biggest problem we have is that the game, being new in the country, is not known to a lot of people. We need to be included in all these school programmes, so that the sport grows. The executive committee is finalising a proposal,” he said.
“Handball is an Olympics sport so I do not see why it should not be included. In terms of development we are pushing ourselves also. I think once we win a regional tournament, I believe there would be some improvements. We have good participation in terms of numbers at our clinics so there is no doubt we have the talent,” he said.
Dhalwal said Botswana put up a good performance at a regional tourney held earlier this year. “We finished in mid table, I believe we have the potential. We put up a brave fight against South Africa, who are a good side. They narrowly beat us 12-10,” he said.
Handball has 30 qualified development coaches. They however face a facility headache, as there is currently one court at the UB. However, the International Handball Federation (IHF) has donated 500 balls that have since been dispersed to 100 schools.
Dhalwal would be a tactical observer at the Olympic games as per an invitation from IHF, after impressing at the IHF technical course held recently. “I would use the knowledge I would acquire at the Olympics to come and further develop the sport locally,” he said.