First wheelchair basketball tourney set for UB

Naledi Lemogang | Thursday November 23, 2017 12:29

The tournament dubbed Malebogo Max Tournament 2017 is meant to raise awareness on gender based violence as well as to support women’s basketball players with disabilities in Botswana. 

Speaking at a media briefing in Gaborone on Tuesday, Molefhe said the aim is to encourage active participation in sports for students and those living with disabilities.

 “Wheelchair basketball is not visible in Botswana. Therefore, our hope is that this tournament will expose it to the community and inspire other people with disabilities to engage in sports,” Molefhe said.

She said the Botswana Basketball Association Disability Committee  (BBADC) was formed to promote the growth of basketball for athletes with disability. “BBADC is determined to develop basketball in Botswana for the benefit of athletes with various disabilities, wheelchair basketball included, as well as for sports enthusiasts around the country,” Molefhe added. The participating teams are Diamond Wheelers and South East District Disability Sport Association. 

For his part, BBADC chairperson, Lesley Baleseng said sign language interpretation will be available during the tournament to cater for all. He said they want to host a successful tournament, therefore they encourage the community to come through the playing grounds to give support.

“We are very happy to be hosting this kind of a tournament in Botswana because it will contribute a lot to our athletes involvement as it will give them an opportunity to play their sport,” Baleseng said. He said the association is grateful to partners and sponsors who contributed to the tournament particularly the organiser, Molefhe.

The University of Botswana (UB) partnered with the BBA Disability committee to make the tournament possible. Other sponsors are Netbrand, Dikoko Van and Yandies Holdings.  Meanwhile, the BBA will host the Under-18 Young Lions Cup    for International Basketball Federation 3x3 next week Friday. Participating countries include Djibouti, Burundi, Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Malawi and Botswana.