We have made strides in sports development- BNSC officer

CHAKALISA DUBE
Staff Writer | Wednesday August 29, 2012 00:00

 

Sibanda told Mmegi Sport that upon his arrival three years ago to take over the task of facilitating sports development programmes in Francistown, most of the BNSC sports development initiatives were dormant.

The 'Re ba bona ha' football and volleyball development programmes were among programmes that were not functional, but Sibanda said that since his arrival he has managed to resuscitate them. 'We have four football centres in the city.

Each of them attracts nearly 50 children aged mostly between six and 17 years. We also have four volleyball centres that attract nearly 50 individuals each. 'I am however, still not contented with the numbers of those who take part in these development initiatives. Based on the population of the city I think there should be more people participating in this programmes,' he said.

A sizeable number of participants of both programmes have been called to junior national teams, he added.

The football centres are at Gerald Estates, Ikhutseng, Leseding grounds and Mokaleng primary schools. The volleyball centres are at Mater Spei College, Phatsimo, Gerald Estates primary schools and Boswa Centre in Monarch.During his tenure Odirile stated that he managed to mobilise support from various stakeholders in the city to resuscitate the Sports Volunteer Movement (SVM) that went into a terminal decline a few years ago after its formation.

The SVM was re-launched early this year in the city. Odirile, however, said challenges remain. 'I am alone so at times it is hard to balance between administration work and being on the field to facilitate development activities,' he stated.

The BNSC officer also emphasised the need to launch other sports development initiatives in the city. 'My main ambition in the near future is to launch a development programme that solely focuses on athletics because I believe this is one area where many individuals have potential but they are not developed.

'Next month the 'Re ba bona ha' programme will be focusing on cricket. We will have two centres in the city - one in Monarch and the other one at a location we will still have to confirm,' he said. He also stated that part of his ambition is to launch the sports development initiatives in the city's neighbouring villages in the near future in a bid to foster sports development.