'Bowling struggles to attract talent'

SHINGIRAI MADONDO
Correspondent | Friday June 28, 2013 00:00

 

'BBA is celebrating its 37th year of existence in Botswana. We are looking forward to making our game a household sport code by 2016 when we turn 40,' said Robert adding that turning bowling into a popular sport in the country is a daunting task. Like in any other lawn bowling nation across the globe, Robert said his association is losing talent to other sports codes especially among the youths who are still full of energy and have the ability to perform better at the world stage. He lamented that the current number of active and non-active bowlers stands at a disappointing 160 in the country with Francistown hosting the majority.

However, the association's strategy is geared towards growing the membership, which includes plans to adopt a school to run coaching clinics at grassroots level and running bowls fun days to attract people to the game. 'This (low membership) has contributed to the country's failure to perform well at both regional and global stages,' a visibly troubled Robert said.Robert recently announced that the association held its inaugural two-day youth bowling coaching clinic in Francistown. He said the event attracted 14 young athletes from Francistown and the surrounding villages.He said the development is part of the association's endeavour to nurture talent at grassroots level.  'The death of bowling is nigh in the country because only the elderly are committed to the game,' said Robert. The chairperson said his fear is that the game of bowling would disappear if the current crop of ageing bowlers retires.

Experienced players like Gaborone Bowling Club's Tim Morton are now in the afternoon of their careers and only two youthful players have shown much commitment to the game of bowling, said Robert.Nineteen-year-old Ofentse Moleleki and Frederick Kelatwang (17), who took part at the 38th Botswana Medical Aid Society (BOMaid) National Bowling Tournament in Francistown early last month, are the only young bowlers. Moleleki and Kelatwang are products of Orapa Bowling Club.