Botswana Badminton Association (BBA) instructor Thuso Mudongo became the country’s first badminton coach to graduate with a Diploma in Sports Science after successfully completing a three-month Olympic Solidarity coaching course. The course was held in Budapest, Hungary from the 21st of March to the 10th of June this year.
The course that ended last month comprised top coaches from across the world that were inducted in both theory and practical aspect of the game of badminton.
Mudungo’s selection for the course came after his profile outclassed those of other prospective applicants from various sport codes that were also vying for the same slot.
The Lethabile Junior Secondary School teacher, who is dedicated to badminton development, said the course was a good learning process which he intends to make the most of.
“It’s my pleasure to have been given this lifetime opportunity by Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) and I have learnt a lot. I was trained to become an elite badminton coach and I also did some sports science components that made me to understand sports from all aspects,” he said.
He further stated that it is for him to go an extra mile in addition to what he has learnt in Hungary.
“As a secondary school teacher I find it fit to extend the knowledge that I have to other institutions including primary schools and to other sporting codes because what I did in the theory part of my course was not only about badminton,” he added.
Mudongo intends to come up with a development model and structures of badminton more especially in primary schools across the country and to start local independently run sports academies that will produce the best athletes represent the country internationally.
“We should not only depend on teachers or school coaches regarding the development of athletes and my quest to do so is at an advanced stage as I have already identified a hall that will be our base and the paperwork is already sorted out. I also want to run workshops in conjunction with BNOC and other sporting codes,” he said.
“All I need now is advocacy from the BNSC and BNOC because I cannot do anything without any support from the relevant stakeholders of sports, including parents,” he said.
Meanwhile, Botswana Badminton Association (BBA) activities have been put on hold due to internal wrangling in the executive committee.
