Botswana maintains regional volleyball dominance
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Wednesday May 13, 2015 15:07
The women’s team was uncompromising as it booked its place in Congo Brazzaville with an unbeaten record in the Zone Six qualifiers held in Gaborone last week.
The men’s team confirmed its place at the continental competition after coming second behind eventual winners, Mozambique.
Botswana went on to dominate individual prizes with Tracy Chaba grabbing three of the six women awards on offer. She was voted the best setter, spiker and capped it with the Most Valuable Player award. In fact, all the six awards went to the home team with Kelebogile Mahupela (best setter), Tsholofelo Retshabile (best blocker) and Gabaresepe Mashaole (best libero) among the winners.
In the men’s category, Tjiyapo Madeluka (best setter) and Agisanang Kurwana (best server) were recognised for their efforts.
Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) vice president (technical), George Keotsene said they had expected more from the men’s team.
“The target was to have both sides qualify top of their respective sections. We know Mozambique is a tough side and generally all teams have improved, but we had hoped to come out tops,” Keotsene told Mmegi Sport this week.
He said it is difficult to gauge the true strength of the women’s team strength since it did not face tough opponents. He said the target is to challenge teams ranked higher than Botswana.
Keotsene noted that the availability of players was a challenge.
“It is not easy to get an extended period together. We are looking at having extended preparations (as we prepare for the All-Africa Games),” he said.
Botswana would look to utilise the Africa Championships, which Kenya (women) and Egypt (men) host in June and July respectively, to fine tune preparations for the All-Africa Games.Keotsene said he is yet to receive reports from both the men and women’s coaches before they draw up a plan for the Congo Brazzaville competition. Four countries, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe contested the qualifiers after the withdrawal of Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland.
Botswana maintains regional volleyball dominance
l Focus shifts to All-Africa Games
MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer
Botswana’s volleyball credentials were further enhanced over the weekend when both the women and men’s teams qualified for September’s All-Africa Games.
The women’s team was uncompromising as it booked its place in Congo Brazzaville with an unbeaten record in the Zone Six qualifiers held in Gaborone last week.
The men’s team confirmed its place at the continental competition after coming second behind eventual winners, Mozambique.
Botswana went on to dominate individual prizes with Tracy Chaba grabbing three of the six women awards on offer. She was voted the best setter, spiker and capped it with the Most Valuable Player award. In fact, all the six awards went to the home team with Kelebogile Mahupela (best setter), Tsholofelo Retshabile (best blocker) and Gabaresepe Mashaole (best libero) among the winners.
In the men’s category, Tjiyapo Madeluka (best setter) and Agisanang Kurwana (best server) were recognised for their efforts.
Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) vice president (technical), George Keotsene said they had expected more from the men’s team.
“The target was to have both sides qualify top of their respective sections. We know Mozambique is a tough side and generally all teams have improved, but we had hoped to come out tops,” Keotsene told Mmegi Sport this week.
He said it is difficult to gauge the true strength of the women’s team strength since it did not face tough opponents. He said the target is to challenge teams ranked higher than Botswana.
Keotsene noted that the availability of players was a challenge.
“It is not easy to get an extended period together. We are looking at having extended preparations (as we prepare for the All-Africa Games),” he said.
Botswana would look to utilise the Africa Championships, which Kenya (women) and Egypt (men) host in June and July respectively, to fine tune preparations for the All-Africa Games.Keotsene said he is yet to receive reports from both the men and women’s coaches before they draw up a plan for the Congo Brazzaville competition. Four countries, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe contested the qualifiers after the withdrawal of Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland.