Botswana: In keeping with its mandate of being the custodian of sport and recreation in the country, the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, through its Mogoditshane satellite office, hosted the semifinals and finals of the Constituency Sports Tournament (football) over the weekend.
This followed up the completed Netball and volleyball games, and the constituency tournament recurred after being halted by Covid-19 in 2020.
The tournament brought 28 team’s under each sporting code, covering all constituencies under Mogoditshane. Griffins Netball Club emerged as the winner under the Netball Category, Gabane Volleyball club took home the first prize in this category, and Western Pirates triumphed as the football champions under the football category.
Programmes Officer at MYSC Mogoditshane, Ms Mojapelo, divulged that through Constituency Sports Tournaments, the Ministry aims to keep young people engaged and away from the streets, ill behaviour and conduct whilst also unearthing talent, imparting leadership skills to young people by creating sense of commitment that they must finish what they started.
She further disclosed that the tournament greatly raises young people through the ranks, as there are always many success stories. Some players end up joining big teams and playing in the first divisions and national leagues.
In closing, she expressed that for a tournament that had just made its comeback, the challenges incurred were not harsh except for weather conditions whilst some teams did not abide by the terms and conditions of the Constituency Sports Tournament Guidelines, but however, they managed to reach consensus with all relevant parties and thus ensured the success of the tournament.
