SELEBI-PHIKWE: The Botswana bowling squad for both men and women’s teams to feature at the African States Tournament billed for Lusaka, Zambia next month has been finalised.
The tournament runs from September 11-19. Five bowlers from the men’s category have been selected for the final squad.
Remmy Kebapetse of Jwaneng Bowls Club will represent the country in the singles category.
Kebapetse will pair with Khumo Kebalatetse of Selebi-Phikwe club in the pairs while Boitumelo Mosinyi of Jwaneng, Dicks Senna (Selebi–Phikwe) and Kabo Gaboutloeloe (Gaborone) are in the trips.
Mosinyi, Senna, Gaboutloeloe and Kebalatetse will compete in the fours. John Gaborutwe is the team manager while Clifton Richardson is the coach.
In the women’s category, Pauline Lekone from Gaborone will represent the country in the singles and then pair up with club mate Tibone in the pairs.
Obopile Ashby (Francistown), Tirelo Buckley (Jwaneng) and Binkie Gaborutwe (Selebi–Phikwe) are the trips representatives.
Bonnie Fox, Ashby, Gaborutwe and Buckley are in the fours team. Gase Pabalelo is the women’s manager while Jane Mitchel is the coach. The Botswana Bowls Association (BBA) spokesperson, John Gaborutwe said a weekly assessment is being done on the team to ensure it is physically fit and ready to compete.
“We have decided to engage the team on weekly basis assessment to ensure that their fitness is stable,” he said.
The team is expected to go into a final camp on August 22- 23.
Gaborutwe said they have made arrangements in Lusaka for the team to have their final practice. “The team will have an acclimatisation practice session for two days on September 10 and 11 at Lusaka Bowling Club and Central Bowling Club,” he said.
The team is expected to leave the country on September 9. The country that accumulates more points in all disciplines wins the overall African States trophy. Seven African countries; Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Malawi, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia will participate.
Meanwhile, Jwaneng Bowls club will host the Jwaneng Major this weekend. The tournament is the fourth in a series of five majors with the winner grabbing the converted Haskins trophy.
Selebi –Phikwe leads the log with 16 points.
