Unprepared clubs want tournament moved
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday September 9, 2023 06:00
BVF received P50,000 from Mascom Wireless for the tournament. According to information reaching Mmegi Sport, BDF VI, Kalavango, and Dynamites wrote to the BVF complaining that they were informed at short notice and did not have time to prepare.
The tournament is scheduled to start this weekend. Mafolofolo coach, Isaac Thenjelani said volleyball has not been active for a long time and it is not possible to get players ready for a tournament within a week.
“When you ask players to train where they are based, it is difficult. Some of our senior players have decided to quit and we are now working with youngsters. The development process is affected by the absence of school sport,” he said. Thenjelani said now with a tournament coming up, it means they should abandon the development process and get players ready for competition.
He said BVF has not responded to the letter that they wrote requesting the postponement of the tournament. BVF vice president, Ndibo Lebala confirmed receiving letters from BDF, Dynamites and Kalavango.
He said a meeting was held with clubs where the calendar was discussed and communication was released on August 14, informing clubs about the tournament. “We have not responded to those letters because we feel the reasons raised are not valid. We received a letter from Kalavango on Tuesday suggesting that the games should be postponed because of the many reasons that they raised. Some of the reasons were that they do not have enough players,” he said.
Lebala said BDF was saying they have a wedding to attend and Dynamites cited that their players are engaged in BOTESSA games. He said, unfortunately, BVF rules and regulations do not allow for a tournament to be postponed over those reasons. Lebala said it is a common thing for other clubs not to compete when a tournament starts. Meanwhile, Lebala said sponsorship continues to elude volleyball. He said the upcoming tournament is meant to bring players back into action. The finals will be played on Independence Day.
Lebala said since the tournament does not have enough funds, they have decided to divide the teams into two pools in each category. “For the first time, teams in the northern zone will play on their own. They will only play teams in the south from the quarterfinals,” he said. There has been an increase of clubs in the northern zone with the arrival of Blockbusters from Serowe but only men will compete in the current tournament. Palapye-based Motlakase makes a comeback while Selebi-Phikwe Club is also expected to return.
The presence of Sebokeng in Francistown and Mag Stimela means there are four men's and five women's clubs in the north. In the southern zone, there are five men's and four women's teams in each pool. The first stage for women will be played in Serowe and SSKB in Mogoditshane. The men's matches, will also be played in Serowe and Mogoditshane but start with the preliminaries.
Men: Pool A: Police VI, Kutlwano, Mafolofolo, Dikwena and UB. Pool B: BDF VI, Kalavango, Prison VI, Itekeng and Spiking Stars. Pool C: Mag Stimela, Blockbusters, Motlakase, and Sebokeng.
Women: Pool A: Police VI, Kalavango, Spiking Stars and UB. Pool B: Kutlwano, BDF VI, Dynamites and Mafolofolo. Pool C: Mag Stimela, Blockbusters, Motlakase, and Sebokeng.