Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) is optimistic that the Coca Cola under 15 and 17 football sponsorship will be renewed after successfully hosting both Junior and senior school soccer tournament in Gaborone on Sunday.
The tournament that was held at Lekidi Football Center included eight schools from each division (Junior and Senior) from four regions across the country competing in both Under 15 and 17 boys and girls football tournament.
The tournament’s 3 year contract ends July 2016 and the BISA President Joshua Gaothobogwe said they are yet to meet the sponsors for possible renewal negotiations. He said they are confident of a positive feedback.
“We have done enough to please the sponsors and I believe that the negotiations will come positive. This year’s tournament attracted huge numbers and the sponsors contributed a lot in making the event successful and I hope they are also happy. We have produced youngsters who are now playing their trades in bigger divisions through this program,” the BISA President explained.
In what was an action packed weekend of ball sports, Batanani Junior Secondary School and Radisele Junior won the girls under 15 and 17 respectively while Gaborone based side Marang CJSS triumphed Ntebogang CJSS 2-1 to clinch the under 15 Copa Coca Cola title after their dominance in the South East region. Etsha Junior Secondary School made a remarkable comeback from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 over Mookane Junior School to emerge the 2016 under 17 Copa Coca Cola championships.
Etsha CJSS Under 17 coach Oarabile Batlang said his boys win came with determination and self confidence following their thrilling performance against their opponents who took the lead in the first half of the game and gave credit to his team for their fighting spirit.
“We had to fight to put people of North in the map because nobody acknowledged our efforts and talent before but we had to believe in ourselves. My boys are not used to the kind of pitch we played on but they kept going and I had to compact my midfield to deny their tired full backs opportunities to pierce our defense, they were nervous at some point but I restored their confidence have been building this team for the past years hence the results” he enlightened
On his part Radisele CJSS girls Coach Itseng Moses attributed their victory and Dominance to their 3 year continuity program which drove them to victory at the last year’s edition with the girls under 15 who graduated to Under 17 this year to scoop and scooped yet another gold which is a true reflection of consistency.
“Most of my girls were part of the team that won gold at the last year’s under 15 copa coca cola tournament and they did it again this time with the under 17 and most of them are form threes and we are hoping for more in the coming years. Radisele is a football village we play football throughout the season hence the positive results” said Moses.
The tournament was followed by the senior schools tournament, where Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School dominated in football tournament following their inspiring victory in both boys and girls sections. Mogoditshane Senior a school that was adopted to be school of excellence 2 years ago showed character and significance through their display in the field of play.
Mogoditshane Senior head coach Kelemogile Moilwe said the tournament was not easy as the results reflects but they had to dig deep to qualify for the finals out of eight teams that were contesting for the honors.
“This year’s tournament was one of the most difficult and competitive compared to the previous years because in a group of four teams all teams had equal points and had to proceed by virtue of superior goal difference and we advanced to the finals to beat Lobatse Senior Secondary school and we were crowned the champions after finishing on second position last year.”
All players who did well earned themselves a slot in the team that will represent the country at the upcoming COSSASA games that are slated for Gaborone next month.
