Lack of funds threaten hockey trip
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday May 17, 2019 11:21
The men and women teams are set to test their mettle against Zimbabwe and South Africa in a tournament to be held in Durban, South Africa from May 28 to June 1.
This will be the country’s first indoor hockey tournament and presents the local teams with a chance to collect their first points in a bid to improve rankings.
However, just a fortnight before the series, the teams are P20, 000 short and battling to raise the shortfall. This week, Botswana Hockey Association (BHA) sent a SOS plea to the public in a rather desperate fashion as they try to source the funds with the pledge forms.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport this week, BHA president, Unaswi Matengu said the association’s P180, 000 grant from the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) does not accommodate the international trip, hence they have to find a way to fund the Durban expedition.
“Our budget is P100, 000 but we are currently P20, 000 short. We then took a resolution with our athletes that we will raise the remaining balance,” she said.
“It is a bit difficult at the moment; our grant does not accommodate these trips and we have asked the government for more funds, but we are given the usual response that there is no money so we could not sit back and we have to find a way to raise the money.”
Matengu said despite the limitations, the mood in the camp has not been dampened, as the players are willing to make the trip.
“We do not have a sponsor for the teams. Fortunately, we have a playing kit and playing sticks while the South African Hockey Association has provided us with balls. But are yet to get the travelling, leisure and training kits. But because this is a build up to the world cup qualifiers, we are hoping that the government will lend a helping hand later on. So far the players are really determined to go and compete at the tournament. They understand the situation and hopefully we will make the trip. We have to do ourselves now,” Matengu said.
The camp has been disrupted by lack of resources with playing equipment and facilities being the main challenges.
According to Matengu, they have never competed internationally due to shallow pockets. This will be the association’s first international trip since 2016.