BCA plans all-citizen national team

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday January 29, 2010 00:00

 

At the moment, the men's national team has foreign nationals who have stayed in Botswana for at least seven years. BCA spokesperson, Sumod Damodar said that the academy will boost the bid to have an all-citizen national team. 'Our focus is to ensure that only citizens represent the national team and we will only fill in with foreigners when there is a shortfall. But selection will be based on merit,' Damodar explained. The academy will be built at the Gaborone Cricket Club. It is estimated that it will cost between P3 million and P5 million. 'It is strategic to have the academy in Gaborone.

Logically, it is ideal to have the academy at the home of cricket- the GCC,' Damodar said.

He said as part of their long term development strategy, the BCA will send players for specialised training in countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa and Kenya. The three countries have consistently played cricket at the highest level and have competitive domestic leagues.

Players would be sent to these countries to receive training in bowling, batting and wicket keeping. Damodar said focus is on the Under-11 and Under-13 leagues and players targeted are mostly from government schools.  With time, the BCA will establish leagues for other groups. At the moment, the BCA selects talented young players for training to represent the country at international competitions. 'We are cognisant of the fact that we have to give these children exposure at a tender age. It is quite crucial,' Damodar said. He said there are challenges which hinder the smooth development of the game. These include shortage of land, manpower and finance. Damodar said the association is aware that the government can only provide assistance to a certain extent.

'Yes, we would like to get more money but we have to be realistic. Government's hand is tied but we are fortunate that the President (Ian Khama) is our patron,' Damodar said.Funds permitting, the BSA wants to spread the development of the game to the north.

Damodar said the association wants a fulltime coach in the north to fully develop players in the region. 'Manpower is halting our progress. We could be running faster but there is no land (for building facilities) and human resource,' he explained.

He said the BCA understands that money will always be an issue and therefore, it is imperative that they prioritise. Damodar said the lack of facilities is affecting the country's ability to host international events.