Mascarenhas makes emotional return to bowling
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday April 26, 2019 11:55
Mascarenhas will compete in the Botswana Bowling Association (BAA) National Championships to be played at the Gaborone bowling club. The Mascarenhas used to be the backbone of the Phikwe Club at the height of their careers.
Mascarenhas will represent Phikwe Club as she aims for a golden return.
BAA spokesperson, John Gaborutwe said Mascarenhas has been out of action for almost four years. “She boasts of experience and has won the nationals five times and pairs five times. Lebo is our mother and we expect her presence to be a motivation to other players,” he said.
Mascarenhas’ only brief cameo was at the nationals last year where she lost in the women’s singles final.
Gaborutwe said the championships, which start tomorrow, end May 4. He said the championships serve as a qualifier for the World Champion of Champions.
As a prestigious event under the BAA calendar, top players are expected to battle it out for the title and an opportunity to qualify for the world championship.
Players will compete in the singles, pairs and doubles disciplines. Gaborutwe said they expect the overall defending champions, Jwaneng to defend their title, which they won with 63 points last year.
“The club has grown tremendously and has some of the best players in the country. About eight players who would be making nationals debut are from Jwaneng,” he said.
The men’s singles defending champion is Regent Reid of Jwaneng club. Last year, Boikhutso Mooketsi of Jwaneng, won the women’s singles category. However, Reid is expected to face stiff competition from Remmy Kebapetse who is currently on form. The women’s champion faces stiff challenges from Mascarenhas and Marea Modutlwa of Gaborone Club. Meanwhile, the national team players, who are preparing for a trip to Cardiff, Wales for the World Cup qualifiers, will take part in the national championships. The qualifiers also known as Atlantic Championships start on May 10 until May 23, 2019.
The national women’s team comprises Tibone Fox, Modutlwa and Chakale Robert. Modutlwa would play as a lead in the singles for the women’s trips. On the other hand, Fox will skip the women’s triples with Robert.
Men’s team
Pairs: Kebapetse (skip) and Boago
Galeboe (lead).
Triples: Benish Desai (skip), Gaborutwe
(second) and George Naik (lead).
Singles: Kebapetse. Fours: Desai (skip), Gaborutwe (third), Naik (second) and Galeboe (lead).