BRU launches Re Ba Bona Ha program

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  The Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) launched its Re Ba Bona Ha programme for children aged between six and 17 this in Selebi-Phikwe, an official said.
  
  The programme, which is an initiative of the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC), will be used to unearth rugby talent throughout the country. The programme was first adopted by football but other sporting codes have since followed suit.
  
  BRU development manager, Zilwelwe Khumalo told Mmegi Sport that the programme would greatly benefit Botswana rugby. He said that it would also help them stimulate rugby interest among children from an early age.
  
  Khumalo said the programme would further assist them in launching rugby in primary schools. "Currently development starts from junior schools, but it would be better to have future players who have been developed from a tender age," he said.
  
  Khumalo said that they decided to launch the programme in Phikwe because there is no development centre in the area although the necessary facilities are available. Gaborone currently has three development centres, these being the Tlamelo Vultures, Mini-Hogs and one in Gaborone West whilst Jwaneng and Francistown have one each. Khumalo said that most BRU activities take place in Gaborone and that creates an over-utilisation of the single facility.
  
  "Gaborone has only one rugby field - the Gaborone Hogs Rugby field - and because it is used for most rugby activities including the league, it was only better to use other under-used facilities," he said. Phikwe has a field that is used by both the rugby and cricket clubs and also has a stadium that can be used for rugby activities.
  
  Khumalo, however, said he expects a large turnout of children at the weekend launch. He said they would focus on the basics and have the kids play touch rugby before upgrading to contact rugby. He said the BRU has trained coaches who are expected to run activities during the day. "We are also going to take along the Tlamelo Vultures - a development team from Old Naledi - to motivate their peers and demonstrate what is required of them," he said. Khumalo said they are going to set-up different stations for interested children tomorrow.
  
  He said they would thereafter register participants and put them through a full-time training programme. He said that the programme would be managed by already identified coaches. "Most of the coaches are people who have once been actively involved in rugby and just want to give back to the community," he said.
  
  Khumalo said the programme would be launched in other areas as well. "We are going to launch the programme in regions that already have development centres before expanding to other areas," he said. He said that once the programme is fully fledged they will organise periodical tournaments between the centres.
  
  The BNSC, in conjunction with Debswana, have sponsored the programme with equipment, including rugby balls and tackle bags.