VOLLEYBALL’S ROCKY ROAD TO RECOVERY
WHEN the newly elected Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) committee assumed office in April, there were high hopes they would restore the sport to former glories.
Top of the ‘to-do list’ was securing a sponsor to bankroll the return of a national league, which has lain dormant since 2018, when Mascom pulled the plug.
However, six months into their reign and the early optimism is gradually fading away as President Tsoseletso Magang and her team find the going increasingly tough.
Speaking to Voice Sport, Magang revealed they are now targeting next year for the league’s resuscitation.
AFTERMATH
The vastly experienced administrator pointed to the lingering, far-reaching financial aftermath of Covid-19 as one of the main reasons corporates are reluctant to dig into their pockets and come forward with sponsorship.
“We came to find nothing on the table when we assumed office. The only thing that was there was the Return to Play tournament and Regional Beach Volleyball competition. We had to start from scratch to engage potential sponsors such that we get something that can take us to the courts,” she explained.
Magang also admitted volleyball’s battered reputation was proving another hump in the road to recovery.
“A lot of work has to be put in place, especially winning people back, more so that we spent a long time without activities. So it becomes very difficult to convince people that we are really back and can stay the course. That is the tide we are swimming against,” griped the BVF leader.
The national league was last played over four years ago, backed by Mascom Wireless.