Major shake up in softball squad
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday June 10, 2023 06:00
The final list reveals several changes from the team that qualified for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s World Cup group stage. The team will go into the final camp next week in Jwaneng before flying out to Dublin, Ireland, on July 8. Some of the players retained in the team represented Botswana in the Europe Africa Olympic qualifier 2019 in Utretch, the Netherlands, where Botswana finished seventh. But the new squad has seen several players miss out. Players who have been roped include Bafedile Dube, Bonolo Molefhe, and Charity Isaac while some seasoned campaigners in the likes of Onneetse Ribbin, Gotlamang Sixpence, Motshabe Otsile, Lereng Mokgotlhe, Lesego Rankwaila and Passman Tuna miss out.
According to information reaching Mmegi Sport, the new technical team was instructed to introduce young players into the fold, something which could have been implemented for the WBSC Africa qualifiers that were played in Botswana in February. “It is alleged that the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) wanted players below 30 years in the team. There are also issues of indiscipline that occurred during the qualifiers' closing ceremony, hence you see the majority of the senior players are out,” a source said. The BSA public relations officer, Kelly Monyake said they would meet soon to finalise some logistics of the national team. Meanwhile, the BSA remains mum on the future of suspended coaches. Monyake said the investigations are ongoing and once finalised, the findings will be communicated. Softball recently suspended some coaches over allegations of indiscipline.
Asked if the appointment of the new technical team meant the suspended coaches have been fired, Monyake referred the matter to the technical development officer (TDO). “The TDO is the right person to shed light on these matters. But I believe as of now investigations are ongoing,” she said. For his part, the TDO, Gontlafetse Batsetswe said the president, Katlholo Mosimanegape and the BSA legal advisor, Daniel Pelompe are the only people who can update the media on the investigations. "I am not privy to them,” he said. When asked if the suspended coaches had submitted a technical report from the qualifiers, Batsetswe said he had not seen the report. Botswana will kick off their campaign in Group A against Ireland on July 11. The team will battle against the USA in the second match of the tournament. Other opponents will be Australia and Chinese Taipei.
The team: Bafedile Dube (Vikings), Magdalene Mmapitsa (Police, captain), Tshegofatso Gaetepele (Yankees), Kedibonye Mogatusi (Vikings), Onkokame Thakoyakgomo (Titans), Refilwe Mosipidi (Wells), Segolame Pule (UB), Charity Isaac (Police), Ruth Mosweu (BDF), Maitumelo Serumola (Titans), Bonolo Molefhe (Police), Amantle Matome (BDF), Peselema Bothman (Bears), Lesego Ditau (Yankees), Otsile Merriam Leave (Police), and Wangu Gondo (Titans). Head of delegation: Mosimanegape, Isabella Kitso (team manager), Mosupakwena Ross (head coach), Trevor Musa (assistant coach one), Gopolang Matsila (assistant coach two), Ayumi Yokosamo (assistant coach three), and Gabo Makgobo (scorer).