Women's volleyball veers off course
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday October 12, 2018 12:21
The trademark swag and charisma that the women’s game has become known for, has sadly been missing of late. Women’s volleyball was known to churn out exports, almost every season, with the likes of Tracy Chaba going to the competitive Algerian league, with Tebogo Sejewe and Chada Majaga following in her footsteps, after playing in South Africa.
Kalavango coach, Isaac Thenjelani admits that hunger is no longer there like in the past.
“There is no hunger that we used to see in the likes of Tebogo Sejewe, Monica Alfred and Gabaresepe Mashaole. It is more like a pass time activity. I think they have lost hope in the sport. The more you compete, the more zealous you get,” he said.
He said the absence of the league in 2017 has had an impact on the preparations and the set up of the league as well. “The growth of players should be looked at through the time one has endured with the same players, unknown faces and the ability to adapt to the current situations.” Thenjelani said administrators working behind the scenes should work more to ensure the growth of volleyball. Kutlwano coach, Isaac Samuel said that women did not show improvement this season. He said their performance has dropped when compared to the previous seasons.
“I cannot put a finger on the cause but I think there are many contributing factors that led to the absence of some players during games. At Kutlwano, we have to beg them to attend training,” he said.
Samuel said there is no motivation amongst women, to play volleyball abroad. He predicted that if the national team were to compete any time soon, it would be humiliated. One of the senior players, Monica Alfred described the falling standards as embarrassing. She said the decline is due to factors such as lack of motivation from clubs and the way the national league is run. Alfred said back in 2010 when the Mascom League started, it was an exciting moment and each player gave their all.
“We knew what we wanted. Now there is no moral and we are grooming players (in an environment where there is) no moral. It means they would also drag their feet,” Alfred said. She suggested that BVF should give clubs grants at the beginning of the season in order for them to prepare players. She said players are now tired and they want the league to end. “Clubs are forced to compete with the Constituency League where players are paid. At clubs, players have to fend for themselves and they lose interest. They now go where there is financial benefit,” she said. Alfred said even attending training sessions is a challenge because players do not have money. She said it is no longer attractive to play for the national team.
“There is no development. During our era, we had camps and when you were called for camp, it was exciting. The allowances that we were getting were enough, but now things have changed, players want incentives,” she said.
Alfred said the selection criteria for the national team is also a concern. She said players are forced to play different position at the national team, such as a libero, as a setter.
BVF vice president, George Keotsenye said they are concerned about the decline. He said it is something that they are trying to rectify.
“At this point, we cannot talk about grants because we do not have sponsorship. But it is something that can be possible if we have financial muscle,” Keotsenye said.