The same situation look set to repeat itself as the teams prepare for the continental events. Only a fraction of players is reported to be turning up for training sessions.
This is because some players cannot afford fare from their residences to the training ground. The hardest hit is the women team and coach, Kabo Ntshinogang is a worried man.
“The team is not training the way I want it to. Not all players are available for training sessions everyday, and that takes us back.
I have also wanted to make some few changes in the team but it looks unlikely because I do not have adequate time to assess the players.”
Ntshinogang added that for now, the chances are high that he would retain the players that have been in the team before.
He said lack of indoor facilities hinder their preparations. They have been barred from using the indoor facilities at Ditshupo Hall due to the upcoming Botswana International Trade Fair.
He said currently, they train outdoor at the Botswana National Productivity Centre (BNPC).
“Volleyball is an indoor sport so if we train outside as is the case now, we are going to have problems.
At international competitions, we have to play indoors and we might struggle when we get there.”
Efforts to get hold of the men’s team technical members were futile, but one source that preferred to remain anonymous told Mmegi Sports that it is also affected.
“I think the guys we have are prepared to die for the country because most of them do come for training despite the odds.
This is a major concern which Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) must address seriously.”
Efforts to get hold of BVF officials were futile.
Botswana has just recorded a historic sweep in Zone VI volleyball winning the men and women competitions.
The feat saw the women team qualifying for the African Championship next month in Nigeria while the men made to the continental showpiece in Egypt. Botswana teams have not been impressive in the past African Championships.
