Badminton team in Mauritius

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Friday July 30, 2010 00:00

The tournament is organised by Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA).

It is scheduled to start on Sunday till August 8. The Botswana team comprises two boys, Tumisang Olekantse and Pako Kenalemang, and two girls, Moratiwa Matlapeng and Goitsemang Oreeditse.

The team departed on Tuesday with coach Mpiwa Bosenogile and official Thuso Mudongo.

There will be a high-level coaching course in Mauritius with two experts from Botswana as instructors. Mudongo will attend the course.

BBA vice president Kunyalala Hamilton Mphinyane said they expect the youth championship to benefit Botswana players and coaches.

He said badminton has been quiet lately, but they are trying to revive the sport by focusing on youth development for continuity.

Mphinyane said shortage of funds and facilities for indoor sports in Botswana is a major hindrance in the development of badminton [as compared to] the level of popular sports like football, softball and volleyball.

He said being a minority sport makes it difficult for badminton to get sponsors, hence the failure to have regular competitions in the BBA calendar. He said they have long called on the government to consider building at least one facility to serve all indoor sports but so far, nothing has been done.

Meanwhile, Gaborone Badminton Club (GBC) will host a veterans' tournament on August 14 and 15 at Tsholofelo Hall.

Registration for the tournament is ongoing at the BBA offices in Maruapula.