HAPPY TIMES AGAIN Botswana’s volleyball league begins, sponsored by government
The last time a national volleyball league match was played in Botswana was in 2018, when Mascom was pumping about P1 million into the marathon volleyball event that ran throughout the year.
At the time, volleyball was the darling sport of every local sport enthusiast, whether they primarily were involved with soccer, softball, netball or basketball – they often found their way to the volleyball courts where they had a team to cheer.
The withdrawal of Mascom after several seasons of the sponsorship saw a decline in the fortunes of what was easily the second most popular sport in Botswana after football. Almost seven years later, with the volleyball administrators having failed to lure another sponsor for the league, the Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture has come to the rescue, offering to ensure that clubs play a league competition with no prizes, while providing mobilization fees to subsidise the clubs on their expenses for the league.
Although the clubs will have to dig deep into their pockets to ensure they honour the games, they have welcomed the development as the mobilization funds will help them to at least have their players back at the courts in what may eventually attract a new sponsor once the famed excitement of the volleyball razzmatazz once again graces the various playing courts around the country. This time the games will be played as far as Francistown, which was not the case during the Mascom League era.
Clubs confirm the funds would not be enough, but agree that it is a good start for them as they will be able to seek sponsorships without being asked why they need to be sponsored without any competition. This week, Pula24 Sports can reveal, Botswana Volleyball Federation’s Vice President Ndibo Lebala pleaded with volleyball enthusiasts to market the upcoming league that begins at various courts around the country on Saturday August 27 this year.
The fixtures for the league were released this past Friday, showing that opening games will be played in Gaborone at Molapo Crossing Mall for the women, as well as at the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) Sports Complex in Mogoditshane.
Molepolole’s men’s outfit serves off the games against Mafolofolo of Gaborone at SSKB next weekend, followed by duels featuring Yaros Olympic against Police VI, as well as BDF VI against Kalavango.
On the women’s side on the same day, Mafolofolo begin the women’s league against Spiking Stars of Ramotswa at Molapo. The match will be followed by a clash between Dikwena and Police VI while a duel between BDF VI and Kalavango concludes the day’s programme. Pula24 Sports will offer updates on the league and even do livestreaming of some of the games where possible.
