Teams from various sports codes in the national constituency tournament gathered at Mahalapye the past weekend whereupon regions from both north and south of the tropic of Capricorn won themselves prize money and trophies.
In the football code Mogoditshane region team, Kayo Stars snatched position one, leaving the venue with P9, 900 and a trophy. It was followed by Tumediso, a Matshelagabedi (Tati East) which won itself P7, 700. The third position went to Moletemane in the Tswapong north constituency which left there P4 000 richer. Thito Foot ball club got position got fourth position.
As for netball code Delta Queens of Maun East in Maun emerged champions. They were followed by Wizzards of Bobonong. Dintshang of Gaborone South got position three, followed by Combi Stars from Francistown South.
The men’s volley ball tournament was won by Kasi 6 of Selibe Phikwe West. Block 8 Francistown got second position followed by Vergetta of Gaborone South. Position four went to Trekkers of Francistown.
The women’s tournament again went to Kasi 6 of Selibe Phikwe West. Francistown Block 8 got position two while Terror Girls of Kgatleng East in Mochudi and Ikondoboro from Shakawe in Okavango got positions three and four respectively.
In an interview, following the two-day event, the Chairperson of the constituency Sport tournament Coordinating committee, Moemedi Mokgachane explained that the tournament is important in the sports fraternity of the country.
“For instance there are players who were gotten from the constituency tournament team-Molepolole Shooters and are now playing for the BDF 6. There are other players from the same tournament who are in mainstream BFA league teams like Botswana Meat Commission. The list is long,” said Mokgachane, adding that it covers all constituencies in the country.
Even remotest villages are covered by this tournament, giving young stars exposure to scouts looking for new talent.
He said the mainstream league on the other hand does not cover even 60% of the country. There are villages in the country he said, who do not even know what Botswana Football Association is.
He however praised the relationship between BFA and the tournament which many still wrongly call ‘constituency league’.
This he said is evidenced by the fact that referees from BFA often help when they do not have commitments.
They also willingly allow the tournament teams to utilize their playing fields. Mokgachane said the tournament has other positive economic outcomes to both individuals and teams.
For instance some teams have engaged in poultry business, some have bought mini-buses, some team sports attire, team camp chairs while others have established businesses like secretariat services.
In other instances teams sponsor teammates for studies while others have even donated to the needy and underprivileged.
