Dubbed the 'cheer clinic', the event is set for February 8-11 in Gaborone. The BCF spokesperson, Tirelo Ditshipi told MmegiSport that a team of four coaches led by Ruben River was initially on a tour to South Africa. Rivera boosts over 15 years experience and has trained teams in the US, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, Belgium and Germany. He is an international judge, championship director, camp director, Cheerleading World’s performer in 2013, 2014 and 2015. She explained that they took advantage of the distance factor between South Africa and Botswana to bring the coaches to the local shores. “Being in South Africa reduced costs of bringing them here as compared to if we were to get them all the way from the USA. The purpose of the visit is to grill coaches and athletes alike on cheerleading skills. This came at the right time as we prepare for the African Cheerleading Championships set for September in Cape Town,” she said.
Ditshipi said the BCF will foot the bill for accommodation, transport, meals and training fees for the visiting instructors, hence they are running around seeking financial assistance. She said the federation expects strengthened technical skills in cheer sport, especially that they have been concentrating on the pom aspect due to lack of technical expertise. Pom dance is an energetic and dynamic style of dance that places emphasis on precise and synchronised arm movements, formations, jumps, and skills. It is characterised by its use of poms, which dancers hold in their hands throughout the routine.
“Upon the departure of the American coaches, we should be a different cheer community both skilled, fired up and confident to take on our counterparts in the region and the continent,” she said. Ditshipi said cheerleading clubs have been amazing and supportive towards the activity and any other efforts by the executive committee. She said they have made a request for P300 payment per athlete over the event's four days. “We hosted our national championships in December 2, 2023, which is an annual event. Over and above, we wish to take part in regional and continental competitions to further hone our athletes skills,” Ditshipi said.
