Botswana Bowling Association (BBA) has set a ambitious budget of P500, 000 to host of the 2024 African States Tournament (AST). The Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairperson, Ookeditse Lekang said at the moment, a local camp management services provider, Mighty Infinite Services, is the first corporate sponsor to come onboard with P100, 000 sponsorship.
He said the sponsorship is a testament by the company to support sport development and promote of lawn bowls in Botswana. BBA has been granted the rights to host the event, which is one of the most prestigious lawn bowls event on the continent. The event will gather players from eight Africa countries being Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. The tournament would takes place in Orapa between September 23 and 26. The last time Botswana hosted the AST was in 2014 at the Jwaneng Bowling Club. "As an association, we are committing ourselves to delivering a successful tournament. To this end, we have assembled an LOC chaired by myself,” he said. Lekang said hosting such a prestigious event with competitors from all over the continent is a great honour, as it is government's policy to host high profile events.
Following the conclusion of the AST, Orapa will host Botswana’s Invitation Triples tournament, which is traditionally held in Francistown each year. The 2024 edition will run from September 28 to 30. Lekang said the tournament is expected to see a lot of international participation, as it will piggyback on the AST. Meanwhile, Jwaneng C team won the 2024 Infinite Bowls Trophy (Gaborone Major Tournament) that was held over the weekend. The tournament was sponsored by Mighty Infinite Services. Lybro Tlotleng skipped the team which had Bame Rantsipana (third), Pono Rakola (second) and Mighty Morwaagole (lead).
The team walked pocketed P6, 000. Jwaneng B team finished in second position and received P4, 000. Regent Reid skipped the team while Portia Masogo played third, Tshepo Mabena was in second and with Bingo Mahomed as the lead. Jwaneng Club chairperson, Regent Reid said they had sent five teams to compete in the tournament. “We dominated the event, our other team finished in position four, five and nine. We had prepared very well for the tournament. Our target is to win the 2024 league,” Reid said. Orapa A team that was made up of Kitso Robert (skip), Edwin Nyoka (third), Doreen Moleleki (second) and Boago Galeboe (lead) finished third and got P2, 000.
