The tournament is held every four years pitting Under-14, 16, and 19 age brackets. ISSSA president, Alleck Maphosa, told MmegiSport that preparations are at an advanced stage and everything is ready for the games. “All 16 ISSSA member schools have confirmed participation and draws have been conducted. The venues for the games are Maruapula School for Under-19 netball and football. Rainbow School for Under-16 football and netball, Westwood International School will be the battleground for Under-14 netball while Livingstone Kolobeng College (LKC) grounds and Al Nur School will host the Under-14 boys football teams,” he said. Maphosa said as always, they expect the northern-based schools to try and continue their dominance from the athletics season, where Francistown-based John Mackenzie emerged champions in Group B while Mophato School were champions in Group A during the finals that were held at the Lobatse Sport Complex in March. “But it is not going to be a walkover.
They will face stiff competition from some well-drilled teams from the south. It is going to be an exciting event with some interesting duels. Our aim is to give our students a platform to showcase their talent. This is the development stage so we do not want to put them under pressure and risk them getting injured in the process,” he said. Maphosa said the games have grown in leaps and bounds over the years and this year sees the return of Clifton School from Francistown as well as new members, Enko Botho School from Gaborone and Kidz Academy from Kanye. “These games have always unearthed and nurtured stars who have gone to excel elsewhere. The talent is dotted all over.
We have partnered with the Botswana Netball Association (BONA) and Botswana Football Association (BFA) who are providing us with umpires and referees for the games. We are also expecting them to send their technical people to the games,” Maphosa said. He said they have invited football legend and former national team player, Stephen Maposa, as well as former national netball team goal shooter, Tebogo Radipotsane, to attend the games as a way of motivating the young players. Rainbow School is the defending champion in the Under-14 age group, while Maruapula are the netball titleholder in the same age category. The Learning Centre are the titleholder in the Under-16 football category while the Under-19title was won by John Mackenzie School from Francistown. The Under-19 netball defending champion is Maruapula who beat Legae Academy during last year's final.
