September 19, 2022
The Botswana Badminton Association (BBA) rolled out only its second ever Shuttle Time Teachers Course – titled “Capacity Building for Primary School Teachers” – in the town of Maun over two days starting 20 August, following the success of the Francistown event in June last year.
The course, delivered by Shuttle Time Botswana National Coordinator Muniovandu Kandjou through PowerPoint presentation, group discussions and practical activities, saw 20 participants attend. With the target being schoolchildren aged between six to 15 regardless of ethnicity, ability or socio-economic status, the teachers were equipped with the basic badminton knowledge need to effectively deliver the Shuttle Time curriculum at their schools.
Though most were new to badminton, their commitment coupled with guidance from those who had experience, meant they left with their understanding of the sport enhanced.
BBA’s immediate goal – in line with the Botswana National Sports Commission’s drive to develop grassroots development programmes – remains organising more similar events.
Also, BBA is looking at introducing Shuttle Time to all 10 of the country’s regions by the end of 2023. Regional teams will be put together from age-level competitions to take part at the National Championship every August.
At the end of the session in Maun, Badminton World Federation (BWF) rewarded the participants according to their schools and clubs some equipment (10 rackets, a net and half a dozen shuttlecocks). Due to the overwhelming support from private schools, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to have the next training of teachers on 10 September.
