The first edition of the tournament was held during the President Day holiday celebrations last year. The tournament will be held on the banks of the Tati River behind Setlalekgosi Community Junior Secondary School (CJSS).The BNSC Sports Development Officer in Francistown, Odirile Sibanda said the tournament is organised in an effort to raise awareness about beach volleyball in the country: "Beach volleyball in Botswana is still in its infancy and we want to raise awareness about the sport. We also want to provide entertainment during the holidays," he added. So far, four Francistown teams have registered to take part in the three-day tournament.Three teams made up of women and three made up of men from Zimbabwe have also confirmed that they will take part in the tournament.
"A sizeable number of teams in Gaborone have expressed interest to take part at the event but we are waiting for them to confirm their participation. They will confirm their participation at the event today," an optimistic Sibanda said.Some Batswana volleyball players who are studying in Cuba will take part in the tournament. They are expected to share their skills with other participants. Last year's tournament attracted 23 teams: seven women teams and 16 teams made up of men, Sibanda revealed. Sibanda also said that he is hopeful that by the time registration closes today, a considerable number of individuals and teams will have confirmed their participation at the event.
