Netball appointments raise eyebrows
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday August 18, 2025 06:00
Botswana Netball Association (BONA) has appointed Martha Mosoahle-Samm as a senior women's team head coach, and Neo Dema took the men’s position. According to information reaching MmegiSport, the appointment did not follow procedure, as the president, Mpopi Cecilia Moatlhodi, sat in the interview panel, when it was not supposed to be the case. Appeals are submitted to the president, which is why she is not supposed to be on the panel. “There was no appeals committee, therefore, applicants had nowhere to submit their complaints. Six coaches were interviewed for the women’s team coach position, whilst one person was interviewed for the men’s position. When the results were announced, each team was allocated two coaches.
The issue is, why BONA appointed candidates who did not apply for the men’s team. Even during the interview, they were not informed that there is a possibility of them being moved to a team that they did not apply for,” a source said. Meanwhile, seasoned netball coach Abednico Chitelo told MmegiSport that he had applied for the post of head coach. He said many things happened that he believes were not properly done. “Firstly, the panel had the BONA president, who was the one asking questions. I applied as a level two coach, over what they wanted, being a level one. I have appealed the decision to BNSC, the aim being to understand why I was rewarded with a post of the men’s team assistant coach, which I never applied for, especially with my qualifications.
I appealed to BONA only to be informed that the decision of the interview panel is not appealable,” Chitelo said. He said his issue is how things were done, arguing there is favouritism. He said even with national team players, the majority are from Jwaneng Netball Club and BDF Cats. “I believe with my experience, I could do it given a chance. The few players added to the squad from other teams were to make us think there was transparency.
Mind you, the assistant coach is from the Cats, and the men’s team head coach is from Jwaneng, including the president. Vice president-technical, Onkabetse Kesekang, is associated with Cats,” he said. Reached for comment, BONA spokesperson, Regent Pitso, said he had forwarded MmegiSport inquiries to Kesekang (vice president-technical). But Kesekang said Pitso should be the one handling media queries. At the time of going to press, Pitso had not responded to the questions. “Let me try to look for answers. I will get back to you,” he said. Meanwhile, BNSC director of sport, Peaceful Seleka, confirmed to MmegiSport that they have received appeals from netball. According to a statement from BONA, the senior women’s team comprises eight players from Cats, six from Jwaneng, one from Maun Heroes, whilst Police has two players, and two others from TASC. In the men’s team, there are four players from Cats, three from Notwane, seven from Police, two from Prisons, and one player from TAFIC.