Multi-talented Binang keeps shining
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday October 6, 2025 06:29
Binang joined the Jwaneng club in 2024 and proved her mettle on the court during the Netball International Test Series between Botswana and Eswatini played in Jwaneng recently. For her efforts, she was selected Player of the Match on the first day.
Born 32 years ago in Ratholo, she developed an interest in netball whilst doing Standard Four at Nkoyaphiri Primary School.
“I was picked by (coach) Boipelo Makwatse because of my height. Makwatse is the woman who made me who I am today; she taught me netball from scratch,” she told MmegiSport this week.
“When I became a student at Mogoditshane Junior Secondary School, she introduced me to BDF Cats, which is where my netball grew to another level. Before netball, I enjoyed athletics. I also played volleyball at junior school, then basketball, and I still play basketball for BDF V.”
Binang, the firstborn in her family, said her first club was Cats in 2008, and her favourite position was being a goalshooter, whose primary responsibility is to score goals by shooting the ball into the hoop from within the goal circle.
Besides school competitions, she played in the Notwane Under-20 tournament, and also took part in the 2009 Botswana Games, then selected into the 2010 Botswana Under-20 squad that went to play in Eswatini.
“I made my international debut in 2014, playing for Sneakers Netball Club in Singapore. In 2015, I went back to Singapore to play for Mission Manners, which is a club in the Netball Super League (NSL). I went with Violet Oneile, Letang Mogotlhwane, and Sarona Hans. I got another chance to play for the Sharks, still in Singapore in 2016. In 2017, I played for Glow Petroleum Club in Zimbabwe, and lastly in 2024, I went back to Singapore to don the Mission Manners colours again,” Binang said.
She explained that playing in Singapore was amazing because a year before her travel, Ntebogang Motlakaloso, Kagisano Mawela, and Tebogo Radipotsane played in the NSL, and that inspired her, and she also wanted to be given the opportunity.
The NSL is a five-month-long, 15-round netball tournament developed to cater for elite players in Singapore.
“I was excited when the NSL chance came my way. I worked very hard, and at the end of the league, I was selected as the Most Valuable International Player (MVIP). I have always been someone who grabs an opportunity with both hands, as I did when I was selected into the senior netball team in 2012. I have been representing Botswana since then to date,' she said.
Binang revealed her favourite part of the game is shooting from range and winning.
'The best advice I was ever given was that I should never give up when things are not going well,” she said.
Binang added her dream has always been to play in a professional set-up outside Botswana for a longer contract and to own a netball academy.
She noted that the biggest challenge in netball is going for a long period without playing competitive games.
“Reflecting on the just-ended Test Series, the major issue is that I should be consistent and accurate. Being Player of the Match was a good thing and keeps me motivated to work even harder. My role model is Tebogo Radipotsane, who is known for her role as a shooter, and she also played in the NSL in 2012. I was always looking forward to watching her play,” Binang said.
FACT FILE Full name: Hildah Lyf Binang Date of birth: August 4, 1993 Place of birth: Ratholo Profession: Netball player (Goal Attacker) Club: Jwaneng Height: 1.77m Favourite meal: Fish and Salads