More codes targeted for varsity leagues

Naledi Lemogang | Thursday June 1, 2017 15:49

Speaking during the PTIA top four tournaments launch on Tuesday, association president, Keorapetse Setlhare said their biggest dream going forward is to introduce other sporting codes that have facilities in schools. He said compared to government schools, tertiary institutions are not lucky with sporting facilities.

“At the beginning of the year, we introduced a league system. However, we started with soccer because most of the schools have football grounds.

Volleyball and netball now have facilities in schools so it will be easier to organise the tournaments, therefore we are looking forward to introducing them next year,” Setlhare said.

 He said they have a good relationship with Botswana Rugby therefore they are also working towards introducing rugby in the varsity tournaments.

He further said the committee will select the best football players from all the university teams to form a team that will be playing friendly games with the Premier League and First Division teams during pre-season.

“We have approached some Premier League teams for friendly matches during their pre-season in a way of giving our students a platform to get exposed to our local teams,” he said.

Setlhare added there are always challenges they face, but have worked very hard to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Botswana Football Association to allow them to use their facilities and assist them with match officials to run the league. 

He said they have attracted different potential partners like Mega Sports for next season and Dlala Sportswear that provided the top four teams with kits.

“Some of the challenges we face are that some institutions fail to honour some of their games due to lack of funds from their respective institutions and students end up supporting themselves. 

Limkwokwing University was withdrawn from the top four tournaments after failing to pay the affiliation fee,” he said. Meanwhile, the association has organised a top four one-day tournament tomorrow at Lekidi Centre to assist in selection of the best players.

ABM will play Botho in the first game while the league champions, GIPS will take on Boitekanelo in the second game.  The semi-final winners will battle for the trophy later in the afternoon.