Hurricanes' badminton tourney gets sponsorship

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Monday May 20, 2013 00:00

He said the tournament would be open to all badminton players, no matter their age or country of origin. Already they have received inquiries from players in South Africa who are interested in taking part in the tournament.Madzambi explained that the aim of the tournament is to honour former Hurricanes player, Makhula Makhula who died in a car accident in 2003. He said that they decided to host the tournament to raise funds for the family of their departed colleague. 'The tournament can also be used by Botswana Badminton Association (BAA) as a platform to identify talent,' he said. The registration fee is P50 for singles. 'Players who want to take part in mixed and doubles will have to part with P50 each,' said Madzambi. He could not divulge the prize money because they are still negotiating with other potential sponsors. He advised players to remember that the spirit of the tournament is to raise  funds for the Makhula family.

The deceased won the Barloworld Botswana National Sports Council award  for Team of the Year in the doubles with Oreeditse Thela in 2002. Makhula represented Botswana at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, United Kingdom where he won a bronze medal. Madzambi said the achievements of Makhula should serve as motivation to young players as they participate in the tournament. He said that BBA has agreed to assist with umpires to officiate at the tournament. Ten friends, Kunyalala Mphinyane, Gift Steven, Oarabile Manyatsa, Thela, Tumelo Gaothobogwe, Boitshepo Mmusi, Pearl Gonga, Chawa Ndlovu, Precious Chakashike and Madzambi formed Hurricanes club in 1998 in Zwenshambe village.