Courtside Botswana

MORE THAN A GAME: GHETTO RAPTORS BC GIVES BACK IN FRANCISTOWN

The Ghetto Raptors Basketball Club has officially launched a new community outreach initiative aimed at driving positive social change through sport. Titled “MORE THAN A GAME,” the project kicked off this past Saturday with a developmental visit to the SOS Children’s Home in Francistown.

The initiative marks a structured effort by the club to utilize its athletic platform to address both sports development and social welfare needs within the region.

During the visit, team members conducted free basketball clinics designed to introduce basic technical skills and promote physical activity among the youth. In addition to the sports training, the club extended its impact beyond the court by donating essential sanitary pads to support the health and dignity of young girls at the facility.

The launch underscores an emerging trend in local hoops culture, where sporting organizations increasingly integrate community service into their core programs to create immediate, off-court impact.

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BEYOND SPONSORSHIP: BUILDING A SPORTS ECONOMY

The inaugural Business of Sport Summit opened in Gaborone yesterday and concludes today at Royal Aria Hotel, bringing together sports administrators, business leaders, investors, media practitioners and policymakers to discuss the future of sport as a business.

Speaking at the summit, the Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, challenged Botswana’s private sector to rethink it’s relationship with sport.

“When we look to the private sector, sponsorship remains important and continues to support the growth of athletes, events and sporting organisations. However, the corporate world must know; and I say it here and now; sponsorship towards sport is an investment, not expenditure.”

The conversation is evolving from asking businesses to support sport to inviting them to invest in the future of the sports economy. For athletes, clubs, leagues, events and sports businesses across Botswana, that shift in mindset could change everything.

Among the key themes emerging from the discussions were the importance of policy, commercialisation, sports tourism, broadcasting rights, sponsorship, intellectual property and investment in sport.

Disclaimer: Courtside Botswana does not own the rights to these images. All credit goes to the respective creators.

CUCSA 2026 OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED

The CUCSA Gaborone 2026 Games have officially been launched, with Botswana set to host one of Southern Africa’s premier university sporting events.

Among the sporting codes featured will be basketball, giving university athletes from across the region the opportunity to compete, represent their institutions, and showcase their talent on a regional stage.

The launch also included the unveiling of Team Botswana, as preparations intensify for the Games scheduled for 28th June - 05th July 2026 in Gaborone under the theme “One Region, One Dream.”

Botswana’s university basketball players will have a platform to showcase their talent, represent the country, and compete against some of the best student-athletes in Southern Africa.

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Disclaimer: Courtside Botswana does not own the rights to these images. All credit goes to the respective creators.

Happy Father’s Day🩵

To the fathers raising future leaders, supporting dreams from the sidelines, making sacrifices behind the scenes, and showing up day after day, today we celebrate you.

Thank you for your love, guidance, strength, and the countless ways you help shape the lives of those around you.

Wishing all fathers and father figures a wonderful Father’s Day. 🏀🩵

— Courtside Botswana

Here is to building the world we envision for tomorrow.🌍

BBA LAUNCHES YOUTH LEAGUE TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL

The Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) has officially launched its Youth League, creating a platform for young players to compete, develop, and grow within a structured basketball environment.

Featuring U12, U14, U16, and U18 divisions, the league is designed to provide regular competition and support the long-term development of basketball talent in the country.

Grassroots development remains one of the most important foundations of any successful sport system, and the introduction of the Youth League represents another step toward building a stronger future for the sport in Botswana.

As clubs prepare to participate, the league offers young athletes an opportunity not only to compete, but to learn the game, develop their skills, and become part of the next generation of Botswana basketball.

THE BBA HEADS NORTH IN SEARCH OF FUTURE TALENT

The Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) will take its U16 AUSC trials to the northern region this weekend following a successful turnout in the South.

The trials, open to boys and girls born in 2011 and 2012, are scheduled to take place in Maun and Francistown as BBA continues it’s search for the next generation of basketball talent that could represent Botswana on the continental stage.

An encouraging aspects of the tryouts is BBA’s commitment to reaching young players across different parts of the country. By taking the trials beyond the major basketball centres, the association is creating opportunities for talented athletes to be seen closer to home.

For young players in the North, your time is now. Show up, earn your place.

Dear Diary…

World Cup, 2026.

Warsaw, Poland.

Over and out…

-

BUSINESS OF SPORTS SUMMIT SET TO DRIVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE FURURE OF SPORT IN BOTSWANA

The Business of Sports Summit hosted a media briefing this morning ahead of its upcoming event scheduled for 25–26 June 2026 at the Gaborone International Convention Centre.

Held under the theme “Connect. Inspire. Transform.”, the summit aims to bring together stakeholders from sport, business, media, tourism, and policy to discuss the future of Botswana’s sports industry and its economic potential.

Founder Bonnie Dintwa emphasised the importance of creating structures and policies that allow sport to grow beyond recreation and into a sustainable industry capable of generating opportunities and return on investment.

Speaking during the briefing, Mothusi Phokoje also stressed the importance of policy in sport development, stating that “nothing positive can happen if there are no policies in place.”

Key topics to be discussed at the summit will include economic transformation through sport, sports tourism, sports investment, intellectual property, broadcasting, marketing, responsible gambling in sport, and why businesses should invest in sports.

The summit arrives at a time where conversations around professionalism, sustainability, and commercial growth in Botswana sport continue to become increasingly important.

The South League action continues!!! 🏀🇧🇼

Stills by Fisedi from a great weekend of Botswana basketball!!