About the Tournament

Ditsala International Cup

3rd ANNUAL DITSALA INTERNATIONAL CUP
Dates

June 1 – 13, 2026

Location

Gaborone, Botswana

The Ditsala International Cup

is a premier women’s volleyball tournament uniting collegiate student-athletes from the United States with national teams from across Southern Africa. Hosted by Bring It Promotions (BIP) in collaboration with the Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF).

TEAM HBCU

The 2025 tournament marked a historic milestone with the inclusion of student-athletes from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), featuring two teams composed of players from eight HBCUs and coaches representing four institutions. Building on that success, the 2026 tournament will once again include two HBCU teams, with an expanded goal of increasing the number of participating schools.

TEAM BIP

Two mixed teams sponsored by Bring It Promotions (Team BIP) , consisting of 18 student-athletes from 14 universities and four coaches representing institutions across the United States, competed in the 2025 tournament. The 2026 edition will once again feature two Team BIP squads composed of top collegiate players from around the country.

Tournament History

The vision for the Ditsala International Cup was born in 2018, following a landmark visit by Howard University to Botswana and Zimbabwe. This historic trip laid the foundation for a tournament that would celebrate cultural exchange, athletic excellence, and international collaboration.

In 2024, Howard University returned to Botswana to participate in the inaugural Ditsala International Tournament. Demonstrating exceptional performance and leadership, Howard University emerged as the first-ever tournament champions, solidifying their legacy in the competition’s history.

The 2025 edition of the tournament saw the inclusion of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which fielded two teams, along with two mixed BIP Teams. The HBCU Yellow Team claimed the championship title, further elevating the tournament’s competitive spirit and impact.

Looking ahead to 2026, the tournament will once again feature two HBCU teams and two mixed BIP teams. Additionally, the event will expand to include more national teams from the Southern African Zone VI region, marking a significant step in the tournament’s growth and regional integration.

Our Staff

  • President of the Ditsala International Cup and President of the Botswana Volleyball Federation

    Tsosi Magang

  • Vice President of the Ditsala International Cup and Head of Delegation for HBCUs Teams

    Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree

  • Tournament Director of the Ditsala International Cup and Representative from Bring It Promotions LLC

    Cory Solomon

  • Head of Delegation for Team BIP Teams

    Bonita Wise

TOURNAMENT AMBASSADORS

  • Alabama State University Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

    Penny Lucas-White

  • Chilean Female Beach Volleyball Player and Former Indoor Volleyball Player

    Chris Vorpahl

  • Four Time Olympian & Former USA National Team Player

    Logan Tom

  • Former Coach at San Diego Mojo, UNLV, Cornell, SDSU, and more

    Deitre Collins-Parker

  • Three Time Olympian & Former Netherlands National Team Player

    Ron Zwerver

Our Partners

Bring it Promotions (BIP) is a full-service volleyball travel agency with partners and staff across the globe. BIP specializes in international volleyball tours and events as well as professional career development. We’ve been running volleyball tours of all lengths and abilities since 1996. We pride ourselves on our international network committed to serving our clients with professionalism, passion and transparency derived from our combined decades of market experience and proven track record.

Let’s Keep The Ball Flying (LKTBF) is a nonprofit foundation based in the Netherlands using volleyball as a tool for social impact globally. Their mission is to promote equal access to volleyball, build inclusive communities (including in refugee camps), and empower grassroots coaches and teams. They run initiatives such as Adopt-a-Team (providing gear and support), Gear Up, Rise Up (a free coaching platform), Volley Beyond Borders (bringing volleyball programs to underserved regions), and Volleycation (combining travel and social volleyball projects). The organization is volunteer-driven (fingerprints) and has official public benefit (ANBI) status.

The Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF), established in 1979, is the governing body for volleyball in Botswana, overseeing the sport’s growth and development nationwide. Affiliated with the Botswana National Sport Commission, Botswana National Olympic Committee, FIVB, and CAVB, the federation manages 44 teams with around 500 active players across the country. Its mission is to promote volleyball through competitive and recreational activities, fostering health and social unity. BVF is funded mainly by government support, private sponsorships, and fundraising, with resources directed toward administration, grassroots development, coaching, refereeing, and national team participation. The federation organizes annual domestic tournaments and ensures Botswana’s representation in international competitions, where its teams have achieved strong results, particularly in the CAVB Zone Six Championships.

 
 
Park & Sun Sports is a U.S.-based company specializing in high-quality outdoor sports equipment, particularly portable volleyball systems. They are well known for innovations like telescoping aluminum poles, slip-on sleeve nets, and adjustable height settings, which make their volleyball sets easy to set up, durable, and able to suit different types of play (beach, grass, backyard). Their equipment donations allow volleyball to be brought to communities around the world.

DITSALA INTERNATIONAL CUP 2026

We are planning the 2026 tournament now. Reach out for more information or to get involved!