The Great North defend BISA crown
Sport
The curtain shuts on BISA games today afternoon after a long week of exciting duels from various codes. The medal standings for junior schools had northerners leading the pack followed by, north central, south central and south.
This year’s BISA finals were unexpectedly thrilling. The northern side claimed the crown with most of their teams vying for honours in the finals including Shangano, Pandagala, Shanganani and Selepa just to mention a few. This has been credited to their passion for sport as they are not exposed to the best resources like their southern counterparts.
The chef de mission for the north region Modiri Mokubela credited this success to motivation, “I think we were able to defend this simply because our players and teachers are motivated we hosted awards last year to thank them and will do the same again this year.”
The quest for various zones to take the crown began last Saturday with almost each and every region represented, but it was on Tuesday at the finals that most people noticed that the best was yet to come. For Basketball, the tables were turned around as Boipelego Junior from Serowe was in a mean mood and claimed the gold. On their way to the finals they brushed aside basketball giants Maruapula. They went on to win against the stubborn Shakawe who gave them a run for their money while the boys thrashed Orapa JSS.
Thatayaone Kgaodi, the national organiser was happy about the display saying “it is clear that there is competition looking at the downing of schools like Maruapula,” further asking rhetorically, and who expected Serowe to dominate this year?”
Football lovers also thronged both Lekidi and the National stadium. In the U-17 girls finals it was pay-back time as Radisele was humiliated by Sisholo JSS 6-0. Last year Radisele beat Sisholo by 2-1, Sisholo coach said they planned well for their opponents after their 2014 loss. For the boys category Ramokgonami JSS came from behind to win against their regional neighbours Seleka 3-2 in a match played at Lekidi.
Sparks however flew on air as ferocious Radisele U-15 won against Ntebogang junior from Kanye in a one sided encounter. The Radisele girls started the game with their intentions clear especially from their jersey 7 winger and their captain who made sure the Kanye girls lose the game by 2-0, however the margin could have been worse, had it not been for the Ntebogang shot stopper who made important saves.
When the U-15 boys category, Gaborone arch-rivals Bokamoso Jss from Old Naledi took on Maoka from Broadhurst, one would have predicted an exciting encounter. It was Maoka who started things in the first stanza taking a convincing 4-1 lead, which left Bokamoso fans with sombre faces however, things took a turn in the last half. A scenario similar to that of AFCON 2008 opening game between Angola and Mali played out. Maoka came from behind to score four goals and ultimately won the game 5-4.
Volleyball, Softball and Netball also were in full swing with surprising finals. Lishwani JSS won against Chobe to take the gold in volleyball, while Tsodilo from Maun thrashed Thamaga’s Letlole to win gold in softball, Tsamaya’s Shanganani also took the gold in netball.
BISA mouthpiece Letsweletse Jonas said they are happy with the commitment and enthusiasms shown at the games, “We can’t complain, things went accordingly and we really loved the passion showed by both the players and coaches.”
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AFRICA’S RECOVERY: Sports as game changer
The year 2022 witnessed unprecedented phenomena. Several Africans- Gotytom Gebreslase, Sharon Lokedi, Victor Kiplangat, Tamarit Tola and many others- swept the World’s marathons records.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting control measures implemented in several countries, led to many high-level sports competitions being cancelled or shelved, the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games was moved to 2026.
Founder and Executive Chairman, African Sports and Creative Institute, Will Mabiakop, says the inability to hold traditional and amateur sports events have had a serious effect on public health overall, including mental health, sparking a revolution whereby athletes began to talk more openly about stress, mental overload and performance anxiety.
“Africa is home to the fastest growing economies before the crisis, no longer on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). COVID-19 deepened interdependence between SDGs, making them harder to achieve, especially SDG 10 (reducing inequality) and SDG 5 (gender equality_ as the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on poorer countries, and heavier burdens (such as care work) fell to women.”
Mabiakop stresses that as policymakers contemplate actions to speed up recovery and build resilience, they must argue that sports and creative businesses should play a central feature in this effort.
“The sports economy worldwide is estimated at 5% of GDP, but only 0.5% in Africa. If exploited, Africa’s sports and creative industries can offer policymakers innovative solutions. Especially, as regards job creation, and providing employment to the 15 million people entering the job market annually.”
HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY DO THIS?
By leveraging the two-for-one concept: past studies shown that a 1% growth in the economy delivers a 2% job increment in this sector (these ratios are calculated using data from 48 African countries and adjusted to the reality of the sports economy in Africa by the authors). There are between 30 and 50 job types, in sports and creative industries, respectively. These jobs do not fade away with the first major shock.
Mabiakop indicated that policymakers can use these industries to tackle multiple crises- jobs, poverty, and climate risks. Sports diplomacy- defined as communication, representation and negotiation in or through the prism of sports- has proven effective in building inclusive and cohesive societies. Moreover, sports and the creative industry can support better mental health and well-being, both important for productivity.
“Policymakers can also be true to the game by leveraging culture and tradition to celebrate identity and reap commercial value in sports, textiles and jewelry. Creative sectors allow deeper connection with culture, are not easily copied and provide great economic potential.”
He said supporting grassroots sports has powerful distributional effects. “Fortunately, technology has made reaching wide audiences easier, generating higher rates of success when talent is discovered.”
However, Mabiakop held that potential pitfalls must be highlighted. “First avoid build it and they will come policies with infrastructures denuded from the rest of the ecosystem. Like the many sports stadiums left largely unused.”
“Policymakers must remain mindful of how these sectors move the needle in human capital development. Also, align the requisite public policies needed for progress from grassroots participation to professional sports, and even to international sporting events. They should also support investment instruments to render these sectors performant.”
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