Chairperson of the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC), Solly Reikeletseng has raised concern about the development of hockey in the country. His concern comes after the dismal perform of the national team at the ongoing Greenfields Africa Hockey Championship in Randburg, South Africa.
The championship is a Rio Olympic Games qualifier event and comes to an end on Sunday.
Botswana men’s team was beaten 30-0 by South Africa and 19-0 to Zimbabwe. The side went to on be hammered 27-0 by Ghana and suffered a 5-0 loss to Namibia. Reikeletseng told Mmegi Sport yesterday that in the past hockey used to have good development structure, but over the years they became dormant. He said the slow progress might be due to the change of committees. He said hockey does not even have the national championships or any local events.
“Hockey is one of the codes that we would like to see growing in the country. When it was still doing well, children and parents showed interest in the sport. The association had good development programmes,” said Reikeletseng.
He said it was time for the Botswana Hockey Association (BHA) to resuscitate the code because sport is not about meetings, but activities. He said for three years now, BHA was allocated land behind the National Stadium and the land remains undeveloped. He said the association should come up with ways to develop the land.
The Botswana team in South Africa comprises; Thabatse Mogorosi, Tumisang Ncube, Aobakwe Dubani, Segolame Moswate, Tshepo Gare, Thapelo Mokhure, Kitso Ditlhotlhile, Robert Tonhoro, Kyle Knott, Theriso Bogwasi, Thero Maiketso, Thabang Tselaesele, Rethabile Mosielele, Phemo Mmola, Leatso Motswakgole, Vincent Molapisi, Eddie Ngara, Kole Kgosi, Kamogelo Lesaka, Tumelo Sekate and Tefo Matobolo.
