After a six year hiatus, the Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) national league commenced at the Molapo Crossing Open Arena a weekend ago despite financial challenges and lack of sponsors.
Federation president, Tsoseletso Magang, is however optimistic that the league will end strong just as it began strong. “Being inactive for six years really came as a cost to volleyball. Nonetheless, it is our aim to carry on with the league with or without sponsors to ensure it is revived back to its glory,” she says.
According to the BVF president, clubs are aware there will be no prize monies when the league ends as the funding the federation currently has ‘does not allow us to give prizes.’ There will however be a trophy to fight for.
“We are currently engaging a few sponsors and we are hopeful that at least one will come on board. If we are able to close with a sponsor in between then we will most definitely have prizes to give,” Magang explains.
As a way of assisting teams and cushioning them from extreme financial constraints, she says half of the funding they received from the government was shared among the teams while the other half has gone to administration.
The monies given to the teams is expected to mobilise them to honour their games. Unlike tournaments which take 6 to 8 weeks, the league is played over a lengthy period. A single team in the league plays around 13 matches in the first round and another 13 games in the second round. Magang says due to this, offering teams assistance to ensure that they do not miss a single game is vital.
“We really have done well getting the league back. It has been a good effort by us that we fought and continue to fight with everything to ensure the league returns smoothly and continues to run despite the hurdles that may come our way.”
“We are also planning to throw in a tournament in between league games to boost competitiveness. It will also give coaches a chance to try out different players and give teams exposure at the same time,” she adds.
Magang says as the BVF family, they are thrilled that the league is back. They are optimistic that it will give potential sponsors an opportunity to see volleyball in action without only hearing of its glory days. She added that they are on the route to reviving volleyball and bring it back to its heydays.
