Four teams fail to participate in netball league
Lekopanye Mooketsi | Wednesday November 19, 2014 15:42
The non-participants are Molepolole side Flying Doves, Flying Hawks from Mochudi, UB Crystals and Pubs from Kanye. Mogale the UB team has not been able to raise a team because its players are writing exams. The other teams are rusty because they have stayed for a long time without training.
Mogale said that the league was affected by a number of international events hosted this year. He expressed hope that all the teams will be available to participate in the league next season. He said they expect the league to wrap up this weekend after one round only. He said they have not secured sponsorship for the league.
Meanwhile, Mochudi Centre Chiefs might be a dominant force in football but this is not the case with their female counterparts in netball. This became clear during their league game against Notwane. Chiefs were on the receiving end as Notwane ripped them apart 31-3 in a one-sided contest.
It was clear that Chiefs came for the game unprepared. Chiefs failed to respond and were hardly launching any attacks against their offensive opponents. Notwane goal attacker, Setshwao Gaboutlwelwe was outstanding as he banged goals. She formed a deadly combination with Tshepo Matlhape to bury Chiefs, whose manager, Monene Mfolwe was not surprised with the results though she admitted it was a humiliation.
She said they have not been training as some of their players have been writing Form V examinations. The Chiefs official said they are struggling due to lack of sponsorship. Mfolwe said another challenge is that she is running the team alone. But for her, it is not the end of the life since they are determined to soldier on despite the difficulties.
Notwane player, Thulaganyo Retshabile expressed disappointment that their opponents offered little resistance.
In an earlier games, netball giants Black Cats walloped Jwaneng 21-19 in game in which the losers gave a good account of themselves. Thamaga Just Japers lost 25-13 to Jungle Queens before falling 30-10 to Notwane. Black Cats walloped Jungle Queens 23-13 while Chiefs narrowly defeated Jwaneng 26-25.