The Botswana Wrestling Federation is set to launch its auditions and try-outs on March 1, 2026, following a strategic decision to postpone the event to allow individuals to rebound from the financial strain of the previous festive season.
The federation’s outreach efforts will focus on major towns and villages nationwide, including Gaborone, Maun, Kasane, Ghanzi, Francistown, Lobatse, and Selebi Phikwe, among others.
Botswana Wrestling Federation President, Dr Moagi Sharp said in an interview that the federation has established two distinct categories which include the Olympic Wrestling Category and Professional Wrestling Category.
He stated that the Olympic Wrestling Category is designed for grassroots development, and accommodates participants between the ages of five and 12 and features freestyle, Greco-Roman, and beach wrestling disciplines.
He noted that the Professional Wrestling Category is open to individuals between 18 and 50 years old, who possess the requisite energy and enthusiasm, regardless of gender.
Further, in an effort to facilitate widespread awareness and encourage participation in the sport, the federation is leveraging media channels to invite interested individuals to contact them, thereby bringing wrestling opportunities directly to the people of Botswana.
“I strongly encourage prospective wrestlers to recognize that wrestling is an accessible and rewarding sport, comparable to any other, and that it offers a pathway to representing Botswana on the international stage, including the Olympic Games,” he said.
Dr Sharp noted that the Botswana Wrestling Federation has an established track record of participating in prominent international competitions, such as the 2023 Continental Beach Wrestling Championships in Dakar, Senegal, and the Regional Wrestling Championships in Pretoria, South Africa, demonstrating the commitment to developing and showcasing the nation’s wrestling talent.
