Botswana take cricket to the schools

A new era came about on June 15-16 when the first ever Cricket Workshop was held at Makhubu Cricket Club in Selebi Phikwe for primary school teachers from 27 primary schools.

The workshop was run by the Botswana Cricket Association in conjunction with the Primary Schools sports running Board, BOPSSA. The orientation course was part of the development programme being undertaken by the Botswana cricket association in trying to introduce cricket to all regions of the country. The teachers underwent both theory and practicals at the two-day workshop under the tutulege of the Northern based BCA Coach, Clement Chipanga who was ably assisted by Taurai Chakanetsa, Selibe Phikwe and Claire Maele.

The course covered the basics in cricket skills that comprised of bowling, batting and fielding. The teachers also had the opportunity of learning the basics of officiating and scoring in cricket. One positive note was the composition of the participants that saw both male and female teachers attending thereby giving opportunities to all as the game is now widely being played by both sexes as this will see cricket being introduced in the schools and creating a wide base from which talent can be taped from. It will also culminate in more citizens being involved in cricket thus fulfilling the BCA theme 'Bringing Cricket to the Nation'.

Also present was the chairman of Makhubu Cricket Club Mr. A. Dunlop and the BCA General Secretary Mr. F. Sheriff who urged the teachers to grab this opportunity and introduce the sport in their respective schools right away. Teachers were also encouraged to improvise equipment and utilise the current facilities in their schools.