Lack of funds cripple netball preparations
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday October 21, 2016 16:04
Botlhole-Mmopi was speaking to Mmegi Sport after the official draw of the Netball Youth World Cup yesterday. Botswana is in Pool C with Uganda, Jamaica, Cooks Islands and Malaysia. Pool A comprises New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Samoa, Pool B is made up of Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Barbados and Singapore. Countries in Pool D are England, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Wales and Grenada.
Botlhole-Mmopi welcomed the draw, but said the main challenge for the local team was that the preparation plan is not being followed.
“We have drawn a detailed plan, but at the moment it is not being followed due to financial hiccups. We only have local camps, which is not enough. We should be giving the team exposure by having training camps outside the country. It is unfortunate that (it) is not happening,” she said.
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Thapelo Olopeng said the government, the International Netball Federation (INF) and the sporting fraternity had invested a lot of resources and time into the World Cup.
“I must acknowledge that the Netball Youth Cup has been made possible through our partnership with the INF,” he said. Olopeng said the World Cup would provide the youth with an opportunity to interact, learn and compete against the very best in the world. He said the participation of young women in the competition is an encouraging sign to continue efforts of providing sport programmes that nurture, empower and develop the youth.
“We cannot underestimate sport as a vital activity for the holistic development of our young people because it fosters their physical, social and emotional health,” Olopeng said. Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Prisca Mokgadi said Botswana is determined to deliver a memorable event. She said the government and other stakeholders have shown commitment to the World Cup.