About the Tournament

Ditsala International Cup

3rd ANNUAL DITSALA INTERNATIONAL CUP
Dates

May 31 – June 12, 2027

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). In 2026, Morgan State University and a mixed HBCU team representing multiple schools traveled to Botswana and competed against the Botswana National Women’s Team and the Zambia National Women’s Team. Morgan State captured the tournament championship, while the mixed HBCU team finished in 2nd place.

TEAM BIP

Team BIP will return to the Ditsala International Cup in 2027 with one team of collegiate players from across the United States. The team will bring together athletes who share a passion for volleyball, international competition, cultural exchange, and the opportunity to help Grow the Game.

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.

In 2026, the tournament welcomed Morgan State University and a mixed HBCU team from the United States for competition against the Botswana National Women’s Team and the Zambia National Women’s Team. The tournament continued to strengthen its mission of bringing together collegiate and national-team athletes through high-level competition and meaningful cultural exchange. Looking ahead to 2027, the Ditsala International Cup is excited to welcome an HBCU men’s team, an HBCU women’s team, and a Team BIP women’s team for another year of international competition, cultural exchange, and connection through volleyball.

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.

Ninesquared is an Italian volleyball-focused sportswear and teamwear brand founded in 2017 with the goal of creating products specifically for the volleyball community. Based in Riva del Garda, Italy, the company designs performance apparel, team uniforms, accessories, and lifestyle clothing for athletes, clubs, and national teams around the world. Their mission is to elevate the sport by combining high-quality technical gear with a strong volleyball identity and culture. As a new partner of the Ditsala Cup, ninesquared is helping support the growth of volleyball by providing apparel and resources that strengthen teams both on and off the court. Their commitment to innovation, community, and the global volleyball family aligns closely with the tournament’s mission to expand opportunities for athletes and grow the game.

Black College Sports Network (BCSN) is a media and broadcasting organization dedicated to expanding access to live sports coverage and storytelling, with a particular focus on collegiate athletics and underrepresented sports communities. Through high-quality broadcasts, streaming services, and digital media content, BCSN helps connect athletes, teams, and fans across the globe. As the official streaming partner of the Ditsala Cup, BCSN will provide live coverage of tournament matches, allowing supporters, families, and volleyball enthusiasts around the world to follow the event. Their commitment to increasing visibility for athletes and bringing sports to broader audiences makes them an important partner in helping the Ditsala Cup reach new communities and continue growing the game.

DITSALA INTERNATIONAL CUP 2027

We are planning the 2027 tournament now. Reach out for more information or to get involved!