Darts team targets improved show in Zim
Lekopanye Mooketsi | Wednesday August 27, 2014 11:23
Team manager, Motsholathebe Kutoro said the five-day training camp they had before departing for Zimbabwe was sufficient. On Saturday, the team had a match practice with top local players. “I believe the team is strong and well prepared. We have always been bronze medalists but this time, we want to go for at least silver,” Kutoro said.
“We believe if we can get good results, we can to attract sponsorship. This could also convince the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) to allocate us more funds.”
The captain of the women’s team, Kgara Madandume concurs they had enough time to prepare. “I think we are ready. We are going to get something. I am targeting gold, “ said the player who has participated in the zonal championships before. She singled out South Africa as the only country that always gives them a hard time. She said this is due to the fact that the South Africans play darts at professional level while in Botswana, it is a part time sport. “But we are not going to give up. We are going to fight to the bitter end,” she warned.
The overall captain, John Setlhalefi shares the same sentiments. “I have high hopes about our team. This time our intention is get at least silver then next time we will go for gold,” said Setlhalefi who will play in the veterans’ category. He explained that although the target is silver for the team, individual players always bring home gold. The Botswana team is expected back home on August 31. Other countries that will participate in the championships include the hosts Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Malawi. The competition has the veterans, youth and seniors categories.
Botswana veteran women’s team has Gosata Balang, Nchadi Ganaope. The veteran men team has Mareko Madisa, Setlhalefi while Lorato Nchenje, Teedzeni Habano are in the youth team for women.
Thato Maphorisa and Eddy Edison will compete in the youth men category as Selina Mokowe, Madandume, Matlhogonolo Nawa, Banyana Balang, Batshane Nguana fight in the women seniors team. The senior men team has Hilton Kein, Mothusi Moakofi, Orateng Kamanga, Daniel Sekisani, Kairanderu Tjinjeka, Tomeletso Poloka, Modisa Lenkopane and Wame Gomang.