BFA launches Bonnita Cup for youngsters
In a major boost for grassroots football in Botswana, the Botswana Football Association ( BFA) and Bonnita have teamed up to host a thrilling four- day tournament for the under 15 and under 17 boys and girls.
Dubbed ‘ The Bonnita Cup’ the tournament kicks off on September 7th and runs until the 10th of September.
The Bonnita Cup serves as a vital initiative to support the development of youth sport in Botswana. The current suspension of school sports has created a vacuum for grassroots football development, but this tournament aims to fill that void by providing a platform for young players to experience competitive play at a young age. It’s a crucial step in fostering the next generation of talented football players in the country.
The finals have attracted a sizable pool of players, including 114 boys and 114 girls from diverse regions of the country for both the under 17 and under 15 categories. The champions will be rewarded with high- quality football boots, and the top three teams in each category will receive medals. In addition, all participating athletes will receive tracksuits and other branded merchandise, courtesy of the tournament’s sponsors.
While no cash prizes are being offered, the tournament will still feature several coveted individual prize trophies, including the Player of the Tournament award for each age group.
Speaking during the Cup Launch, the BFA head of refereeing, Jonty Rasetsoga expressed his deep appreciation for Bonnita’s partnership in supporting grassroots football development. He stressed the importance of such initiatives in nurturing young talent, which will ultimately strengthen the national team in the long run. “BFA mandate is to develop football, we are happy for this partnership because it will groom the future stars of the national team, thereby laying a solid foundation for its success in the years to come,” he mentioned. Rasetsoga further emphasized that the Bonnita Cup does not only develop players but also contributes to the growth and development of local coaches and match officials who will play a crucial role in the smooth running of the games. He lauded Bonnita’s partnership with the association, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to host the games with their generous support.
“This event provides a unique opportunity for our local coaches and match officials to sharpen their skills because we have so many grassroots coaches and match official in Botswana. Therefore, this will also benefit them as much as it will benefit players and the country,” he added.
Meanwhile, the competitions will take place at the Lekidi Football Center, and the Botswana Football Association plans to use the tournament as an opportunity to identify talented players for the national under 15 and under 17 teams for both boys and girls. These players will then be able to contribute to the growth of the existing teams for the next two years, as they will still be under the age of 20 during that time.