The Gaborone University of College Law and Professional Studies (GUC)’s student athletes collaboration with the Botswana Tertiary Student Sports Association (BOTESSA) has offered a ones in a lifetime opportunity to 11 athletes with an academic scholarships to any department of their choice at the Institution.

The 5 male and 5 female athletes have been given a lifeline in not just pursuing their dreams of attaining professional careers in sports, but also an opportunity to further their education.

The Botswana National Sports Commission Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tuelo Serufho pointed out that he was delighted at what BOTESSA has done under the leadership of Mr. Keorapetse Setlhare “the scholarships will  give the athletes an opportunity to focus on sport and education at the same time hence having something to fall back on when they retire from sport”. He also  commended the GUC management for giving the BOTESSA athletes that opportunity, “BOTESSA has made history in the sport fraternity and I encourage these athletes to work very hard in order to progress to another level. I also urged other institutions to come on board initiatives like this and help athletes that are struggling out there to secure scholarships and other forms of Opportunities”.
The athletes will be given an opportunity to choose certificate courses of their choice with prospects of passing and progressing to higher levels or their respective courses. The BOTESSA President Mr. Setlhare said that the athletes’ scholarship programme was intended to contribute to the development and maintenance of the athletes. He further stated that the programme will also act as an investment for BOTESSA in preparations for FISU World University Games, FASU and CUCSA games hence giving the athletes an opportunity to compete at a higher level.
Mr Chiparo, the GUC Director of Academics, revealed that there will be flexibility in their learning environment citing that their learning management system would allow students to submit assignments online. He further stated a structure that would allow the students to actively play sport without missing out on class proceedings. The athletes were a combination of Five (5) females and Six (6) males from different corners of this country envisioned to start their courses on the 06 July 2021.

FNBB BOTESSA REFEREE COURSE

The Botswana Tertiary Student Sports Association continues its efforts to enhancing students experience has partnered with the Botswana Football Association and organised a one-week refereeing training course for interested Tertiary students.

Inspired to address some of the grey areas that the association was faced with regarding shortage of trained officials in its ecosystem, the aim of the workshop was to train BOTESSA students to be custodians of the laws of the game on the field of play.

FNBB BOTESSA’ interest was to equip the students with management skills on how to communicate with the players and how to handle big temperamental games at local competitions.

 

  

The workshop was held in Gaborone at the Botswana Football Association (BFA) Lekedi Football Center and it was officially opened by the BFA Chief Executive Officer, Ms Goabaone Taylor on the 29 June 2021.  A total number of Twenty-three (23) participants from BOTESSA member affiliates attended the workshop and Five (5) of them being women. The week long course started on the 28 June- 02 July 2021 with an awarding ceremony at the end where Dr Braun from BFA closed the ceremony.  This was the first of its kind where the athletes were fully engaged on the theory and practical approaches of learning and eventually certified as referees. In her word of encouragement to the athletes Ms Boga Chilinde-Masebu, the FNBB Communications and Public Relations Manager said a good referee should be fit, observant, decisive, and will have a strong character without being egotistical.

FNBB BOTESSA ONLINE NETBALL DEVELOPMENT COACHING COURSE

In partnership with Botswana Netball Association (BONA), BOTESSA is currently running an online coaching course for netball coaches. This course is geared towards up-skilling of internal coaches and enrobing new coaches from the BOTESSA membership. The course is scheduled to last for 2 months with two hour sessions every Sunday. The Course started on the 19th of June 2021 and has an overwhelming participation of Fifty-six (56) participants.

 

 

FNBB BOTESSA ATHLETE WITH DISSABILITY LEADERSHIP TRAINING

 

This training was held at Gaborone Technical College on the 5th of June 2021 in partnership with Botswana Special Olympics. The participants were from different institutions such as Gaborone Technical College and Limkokwing University to mention a few. There was a total of 21 student athletes who attended the training rolled out by Special Olympics Botswana. The event was officially opened by Mr Ross Tebele where he commended BOTESSA for addressing issues of inclusiveness as an association. It was a successful event giving motivation to the athletes and assurance from the National Sports Association that there will be support for athletes with disabilities to compete and also be involved as much as possible in sport.  There was an awarding ceremony where athletes were awarded certificates.