Orapa Hosts Bowling Championships

The Botswana Bowling Association (BBA) National Championships will once again follow its established five-club rotation system, with Orapa set to host the 2026 edition from May 9 to 16. BBA vice president Edwin Nyoka said the rotational model remains central to the sport’s development across the country. “This gives the host club the opportunity to market bowls as a sport as well as themselves as a club,” Nyoka said in an interview.

“This is an opportunity for membership growth as it would attract a lot of players and fans to the tournament.” He added that hosting also carries wider benefits beyond the sport itself. “It is a morale booster to be competing in your own facilities, hometown and watched by family, friends and your community at large. It also boosts chances of attracting financial sponsorship going forth if good results are attained.” With Jwaneng Bowling Club entering as defending Rhodes Trophy champions, expectations are high for a tightly contested tournament.

“Bowls is a tricky sport to predict, but yes on paper Jwaneng seems to have an edge,” Nyoka said. “Again all the clubs will come charged up and anything can happen.” He stressed that consistency and mental strength will be decisive over the week-long competition. “It will all depend on who will be consistent, who has that resilience and mental strength throughout the week,” he said.

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Orapa’s return as hosts brings renewed attention to the question of home advantage, especially after their overall victory the last time they staged the event in 2022. Nyoka, however, cautioned against overstating its impact. “It definitely will not be easy for any club as I mentioned earlier,” he said. “The home ground impact is there in that the home fans give bowlers confidence with their support but overall it is difficult to say who will run away with the Rhodes Trophy.” This year’s championship is also expected to highlight the growing influence of younger players within Botswana’s bowls structure.

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