Radisele passes Excellence test with flying colours
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday July 27, 2018 12:40
The school was handed the responsibility to develop future football and volleyball stars in both the girls and boys’ section. The school has passed the litmus test with flying colours after a solid performance during the 2018 Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) junior ball held in Gaborone last weekend.
Radisele were crowned boys and girls’ volleyball champions. They went on to claim gold in football for both Under-17 boys and girls. The girls’ soccer team was on another level as they beat Gaborone West JSS 6-2 in the final.
Radisele JSS team manager, Selebaleng Palmer Odisitse said despite thriving as a centre of excellence, they face challenges with facilities.
“Just like other schools, we have challenges. Take an example of football, four teams have to use one field to develop these wonderful and talented athletes,” he said.
He said they have been able to excel due to teamwork and there was a lot of sacrifice made by the coaches. Odisitse said coaches go beyond mentoring the athletes on the pitch, but outside as well by playing a parenting role.
He said going into the weekend competition, their plan was simple; for the girls to defend their title.
“Our boys were appearing for the first time at the competition and we wanted them to reach the finals. In that way we wanted to set a record in the games,” he told Mmegi Sport.
Odirile said in some instances his athletes are discriminated by other competitors as they are from a Centre of Sport Excellence.
He said students who go to Radisele JSS are selected at different stages at primary schools competitions. He said in some cases, an athlete could be recommended by BNSC officers or coaches.
Radisele JSS has produced talent which has gone on to represent at a bigger stage, with some former students like Longwane Mocheka (Miscellaneous Football Club) and Kabelo Johannes (Mochudi Centre Chiefs) doing well in soccer.
Odirile said there are other players who represent teams in the elite league, including the women’s soccer league with teams such as Big Sisters and Sharps Shooting Stars.
“There are some players who have been signed by Mafolofolo and Kutlwano women’s teams. There are also three volleyball girls who are part of the Africa Youth Games (AYG) team that is currently in Algeria,” Odirile said.
BISA public relations officer, Letsweletse Jonase said the performance of Radisele is impressive and indicates that teachers at the school utilise resources given to them as a Centre of Excellence.
“Amongst the Centres of Sports Excellence that we have, Radisele is the best so far. They are doing well, and are feeding us, as BISA, with quality athletes in girls football and volleyball,” Jonase said.