Fuel the Dreams of Botswana's Squash Players

Today marks a bittersweet but beautiful milestone in a pursuit that has been my passion for the last five years. As I reflect on this journey, I realize how incredibly lucky, blessed, and fortunate I am. With these blessings comes great responsibility—the duty to allow others to experience the same opportunities I have enjoyed. I asked myself, "How can I make this happen?"

For 20 years, I have been coaching and teaching squash. During this time, my students have experienced the thrill of winning, the joy of being the best, the camaraderie of making lifelong friends, and the privilege of attending the world's top colleges. These achievements have been deeply rewarding. The appreciation and love that players and their parents share with me is profoundly gratifying.

Seventeen national champions and 20 years later, having sent at least two players each year to Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, or one of the top 10 schools in the country, I realized it was time to look back at my roots. How could I extend these same opportunities to my fellow countrymen in Botswana?

In 2017, I embarked on a journey to replicate our success in Botswana. Understanding the formula for developing top players, I brought coaches from Botswana to the US to learn our methods. After four months of intensive training, the coach returned home, and our journey began.

Seven years later, our dream of developing the best female junior players in Southern Africa has flourished. I am thrilled to share that two of our players have been offered scholarships to attend prestigious colleges in the United States. Through scholarships and sponsorships, we have managed to raise $320,000 ($80,000 per year for 4 years). However, the tuition is not cheap, it amounts to $640,000 (tuition only) for both players for four years. We need to raise additional $320,000.

I know it can be hard to grasp the importance of supporting a single individual with such a significant amount of money. But consider the lives we have already changed because a few people believed in us. I am confident that all the girls will play for great colleges and give back to society tenfold. Even if they don't, we will have added love and made a positive change in ourselves as giving, compassionate human beings.

We aim to make this dream come true for these girls who have worked tirelessly and remained resilient through difficult times. For those who understand the sacrifice and passion required to achieve such dreams, I ask for your support. Help us raise the necessary funds to provide these young ladies with a life-changing opportunity.

Your support can transform lives, foster hope, and build a brighter future for these talented young women. Join us in making a lasting impact. Contact me if you are interested in supporting the girls.

Lefika Ragontse, Founder

DreadSports Squash and Fitness