The Botswana Netball Association's (BONA) struggled to get permission from the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) to host the Africa Cup due to funding challenges. Netball's request was only approved at the last minute following the intervention of the Okavango Diamond Company (ODC).
However, there were no such challenges with BBA's application and now the association will host the series, which will run from November 23-26 at the Otse Police College. Badminton interim president, Modisaotsile Badubi dismissed reports that hosting the Botswana International Series was in jeopardy.
Badminton had to convince the BNSC with a letter from the World Badminton Federation (WBF) that confirmed financial support for the tournament. “When we were still in discussion and giving the BNSC reasons for hosting, then agreed, it becomes unfortunate when there are allegations that the event has been cancelled. Everything is on track, even on Wednesday morning I was on the phone with the BNSC following on our request because our guests start to arrive on Sunday,” he said.
The last edition of the Botswana International Series was held in 2022 in Lobatse. Badubi said the event was successful but there were some logistical challenges. He explained that this year they opted to make Gaborone the base of operations with the tournament venue being the Otse Police College as a measure of avoiding some of the challenges they faced last year. Badubi said BBA has received $5,000 (about P67,000) from the World Badminton Federation (WBF), which is already being utilised for the tournament.
The badminton national team is in camp ahead of Botswana International Series with 20 countries having confirmed participation. Badubi said preparations have been going well and the final camp is set for the weekend under the guidance of head coach, Oreeditse Thela. Some of the players expected at the tournament include women’s doubles champions, Amy Akerman and Deidre Jordaan from South Africa, and Johanita Scholtz (women’s singles champion) and Adham Hatem from Egypt (men’s singles). Amongst participating countries would be Egypt, Mauritius, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uganda, Maldives, Thailand, Denmark, India, England, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Badubi said during the Botswana International Series, the BBA would launch air badminton.
He said air badminton aims to make the sport more accessible as it can be played on hard grass and sand surfaces, and uses a wind-resistant air shuttle. The main difference between indoor badminton and air badminton is the design and dimensions of the court.
The air badminton court has a two-metre dead zone at the front of the court and should the air shuttle land in that area, it is deemed a fault. Badubi said they have received a consignment of equipment for air shuttles. “This weekend, we are in Selebi-Phikwe to launch a development initiative called Shuttle Time targeting players from Phikwe, Mmadinare and Bobonong. The programme seeks to foster grassroots development of badminton at primary and junior school levels,” he said.
Botswana badminton teams Men: Tsamorena Kgosialwa, Modiri Motshegwe, Tumelo Moilwa, and Godknows Ketlhabanetswe. Women: Tebogo Ndzinge, Tessa Kabelo, Naledi Setlalekgosi, and Keletso Ntebela.
