The three-day pilot project to introduce squash to primary schools in the country ended on Saturday with the graduation of 32 children in Francistown.

The pupils, drawn from Mahube and Nyangabgwe Primary Schools, spent the afternoons of Thursday and Friday learning the basics of the sport by coaches who included Botswana Squash Racquet Association's development officer, Margo Schickering.

The pupils came with their teachers who will be thrust into the role of coaches after the departure of Schickering and other tacticians.

At the graduation ceremony, it was resolved that transport should be made available for the children who usually have to walk to the playing courts.

So far, the squash project has been piloted in Gaborone and Jwaneng and Schickering said they hoped to spread to other regions, notably Maun at the beginning of 2010. BSRA is introducing squash to primary schools in the country in a bid to grow the sport.