The Botswana Fencing Federation (BFF) is set for an action-packed year as it prepares for multiple national and international competitions. According to Thabile Pilane, the federation’s Public Relations Officer, the season is already in full swing with several key tournaments on the horizon.
One of the major highlights of the calendar is the upcoming team selection event on March 29, which will determine Botswana’s representatives for the Senior African Championships in Nigeria. Additionally, the federation is preparing a team for the Cadet and Junior African Championships in Algeria, scheduled for March 28. Looking further ahead, an athlete has been selected to compete at the World Championships in Wuxi, China, in April.
Pilane emphasised the federation’s commitment to ensuring Botswana’s presence at both local and international events. “We want to make sure that both local and international tournaments we do send people out there for competition because it also helps us to have our mark in the world and in Africa to be able to learn how to present ourselves,” she stated.
Reflecting on the sport’s progress, Pilane acknowledged the strides fencing has made in Botswana over the past decade. “Honestly speaking, we have grown. It’s been about 10 years now, but I can gladly say we have grown because now more people are learning about fencing. More athletes are getting interested. More parents are signing up their kids. The federation is growing,” she noted.
Despite financial constraints preventing the national team from holding full-scale training camps, coaches are conducting regular training sessions, particularly on weekends, to ensure athletes remain competitive. “We do make sure that every chance that we get, every little time that we get, we train our athletes,” she explained.
With a packed schedule, the competition among Botswana’s fencers has intensified. Pilane stressed the importance of ranking in team selection. “For you to be able to be selected, you need to be in the ranking. So number one takes priority all the time,” she said, emphasizing the need for athletes to continuously improve to secure their spots.
Looking ahead, fans can expect an increase in tournaments as the federation seeks to expand fencing’s footprint in Botswana. “They should definitely look forward to more tournaments this year,” Pilane said. “We’re trying to improve ourselves a lot as a federation leadership to know that we should be skilled enough to run as a federation.”
Despite its growth, fencing in Botswana faces significant financial hurdles. Pilane highlighted the ongoing struggle to secure funds for athlete participation in international events. “We are struggling very much. We haven’t found funds for them, but we’re very hopeful. We’re optimistic that something is going to come up,” she admitted.
The federation is exploring various strategies, including fundraising and engaging stakeholders, to become more self-sufficient. “We are also trying to harness the talent that is already there,” Pilane added. “We would be really glad if we had somebody on board with us trying to help us reach that goal and to grow the sport of fencing.”
For those interested in joining the sport, Pilane encouraged them to reach out via the Botswana Fencing Federation’s Facebook page. With growing interest and an ambitious calendar ahead, Botswana’s fencing scene is poised for a breakthrough year.
