Badminton embarks on development programme
The Shuttle Time Development Programme is expected to unearth talent across schools; the programme run by the Botswana Badminton Association (BBA) has commenced across schools in Gaborone.
Schools that will benefit include Botlhale Cambridge International School, Regent Hill International School, Crescent Hill School, Rainbow International Secondary School and Legae Secondary School.
The Shuttle Time programme is funded by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the international body for Badminton. “It does funding through giving out racquets suitable for development, as well as shuttlecocks,” BBA President, Moses Macheke said in an interview this week.
He added that through the programme they target kids who are still developing and are very keen about the sport, to cultivate and nurture their talents while they are still very young. “We are targeting children from the age of 5 to 15 years.” Moreover, Macheke said the support from parents has been overwhelming and are grateful for their support. “Parents have been supportive so far, however, we have not dealt directly with them because we access students through Independent Secondary School Sports Association (ISSSA) whom we have signed a memorandum of understanding with in relation to School Badminton programme,” he added. Another
goal that this programme intends to meet is equipping school teachers with the know how of coaching and understanding the sport which should thus transfer to the kids.
“We want to equip school teachers with standard fundamentals and basics of badminton so that they will be able to deliver shuttle time programmes in their schools.”
Development is the main pillar of different
associations across the world to bring about international superstars in any particular sport. “We also aim to establish effective Badminton development structures, and thereafter achieve our ultimatum to host school championships throughout the year, with collaboration with ISSSA, which will give us leverage to compete regionally with a competent national development team.”