Motlakaloso's road from Maun to stardom
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday March 5, 2022 06:00
However, the competition was just the impetus the country was looking for as there was already an abundance of talent in the sport. Ntebogang Motlakaloso is one such talent that has been wreaking havoc for the opposition. She started playing netball in the dusty streets of Maun at a tender age. “I started playing netball when I was in primary school doing Standard 4 at Boyei.
Actually, I started having more interest in the sport when we qualified for the regional games, which were in Gaborone in 2004. We finished in position three. Mosalaosi was the first coach to help me learn the ropes of this sport. That was the moment I started to believe that I can go far in netball,” she said. Upon arrival at Moeti Junior Secondary School in 2006, Motlakaloso fell into the hands of Jika James. The school team qualified for the nationals that were played at Moeding College and they emerged as champions. “I was selected as the best shooter of the tournament. In 2007, I made my Under-17 national team debut. As a young girl from Maun, I was excited when we travelled to Lesotho to compete in the Confederation of School Sport Association of Southern Africa (COSSASA). We walked away with a bronze medal.
I had a good tournament and I was selected the best defender,” said Motlakaloso, who turns 31 on Tuesday. Motlakaloso said she has played for the Under-20, 21 and the senior national team. She said the highlight of her netball journey was when she was part of the Under-21 team that played at the World Netball Youth Cup in the Cook Islands in 2009. Australia was the winner after beating their arch-rivals, New Zealand 64-46. At the age of 19, Motlakaloso made her senior national team debut in 2008. “It was a big step in the right direction for me and we played in the Mission Foods tournament in Singapore. Six sides from various corners of the world play in the tournament. We brought home a silver medal,” she said.
She was also part of the team that played in the International Netball Federation (INF) World Cup qualifiers that were held in Pretoria. Motlakaloso said they qualified for the World Cup, which was played in Singapore in 2011 and finished ranked position 12. Motlakaloso, who is currently playing for Prisons Netball Club in Gaborone, said her wish is to see the Botswana senior team qualifying for the 2023 World Cup, which South Africa hosts. “Playing at the World Cup is a big achievement even if you do not get a podium finish.
It is something that I would value when I retire. I want to continue being active in the sport even after my playing days are over. Sport needs a lot of volunteers so I am ready to continue being there for it,” she said. Motlakaloso, however, decried lengthy periods of inaction, which makes players prone to injuries. “Most of us do not have financial assistance to buy the right equipment.
Players should not be playing with running shoes. It is recommended that netball-specific shoes, or cross-trainers as a second-best option, are worn for netball training and games,” Motlakaloso added. Prisons coach, Regent Pitso said Motlakaloso is a disciplined player and easy to work with. “She is not big-headed and she supports her teammates when things are tough. She uses her height intelligently and her experience is an advantage,” Pitso said. Motlakaloso said her family has always been supportive throughout her career. Motlakaloso is employed at Vastmax in the production unit. She has completed her Diploma in Textile at Limkokwing Botswana.
FACT FILE:
Full names: Ntebogang Motlakaloso
Date of birth: March 9, 1991
Profession: Netball
Club: Prisons
Positions: Goalkeeper (GK), Goal defender (GD) and Goal shooter (GS)
Strength: Versatile player
Height: 1.78m