The tournament has attracted players from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Botswana Bowling Association (BBA) spokesperson, Ookeditse Lekang, told MmegiSport that the team is ready for the competition. He said Botswana has proven over the years that it has some of the best bowlers in the region. During the 2023 edition, held in Namibia, Botswana won five medals; a gold in the Women’s Triples, two silver medals in the Men’s Singles and Triples, and two bronze medals in the Men’s Pairs and Fours. This was an improvement from Kenya in 2019 when Botswana women won three medals (gold, silver, and bronze).
It was also one of Botswana’s best performances at the AST tournament as recent records show that the last time the team won five medals at a single AST was at the 30th edition in 2009 when the tournament was hosted in Eswatini. “The association has huge ambitions to improve the performance of the national teams at international competitions and to challenge for Commonwealth and World championships medals. The national team players are kept active through a busy calendar that includes local and regional tournaments. They are also required to do weekly assessments so that they become sharp and improve their bowling skills.
All these help our athletes maintain their fitness while also serving as a vehicle for growth and improvement,” Lekang said. The women’s Singles champion, Gaoromelwe ‘Mpopi’ Pelemo, a member of the Jwaneng Bowls Club who has been selected for the Trips and Fours teams, told MmegiSport that she is ready for the AST. “Preparations are going according to plan; we are busy with practice. After the announcement of the national team, we have had two training camps as a national team. I believe that when the time comes for the tournament to start, we will be fired up,” she said. Women's Singles player, Lesego Motladiile, said there are some challenges because the grounds are not in good condition, but they are getting ready by playing tournaments regularly. "This will be my first AST. Yes, I am super excited, especially because we are the hosting nation. It gives a bit of comfort," she said.
Motladiile said she had been selected to play in the Singles in preparation for the World Championships to be held in New Zealand in November. "So I am very excited to have been chosen for that specific category. It will help me gauge myself, observe my strengths and weaknesses, and work on them a little more. I have a set target, I want to bring the gold home. If I can do that, I know I can do wonders at the World Championships," she said.
The team
Women Singles: Lesego Motladiile Pairs: Marea Modutlwa and Motladiile Trips: Pelemo, Chinky Sinombe, and Boikhutso Mooketsi Fours: Modutlwa, Pelemo, Sinombe, and Mooketsi Reserve: Tshenolo Moshokgo
Men Singles: Baven Balendra Pairs: Balendra and Edwin Nyoka Trips: Charles Diteko, Kaizer Geche, and Modisaotsile Mphotho (National men’s Singles champion). Fours: Diteko, Geche, Mphotho, and Nyoka Reserve: Kabo Gaboutloeloe Managers: Gaboutloeloe and Nelly Senna Coach: Gasegarone Pabalelo
