Selebi-Phikwe club forced out of volleyball league
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday August 31, 2018 11:56
The Botswana Volleyball Association (BVF) has acceded to the club’s request to withdraw from the league. The club, which was competing in the women’s league, made its debut two seasons ago.
The team had managed to play all of this season’s first round matches before requesting to withdraw, citing administrative issues.
The club is the brainchild of the women’s national team assistant coach, Mapetla Garanna and is made up of mostly secondary school students. It had only three senior players.
Garanna said the withdrawal had nothing to do with finances, a constant challenge for most sporting codes in the former copper and nickel mining town. In fact, he said the team had enough resources to finish the league, however, they experienced a management challenge after he was transferred to Kang recently.
He said his colleagues in the management could not commit to fully assisting the team, which led to failure to honour two fixtures. He said a decision had to be taken, although at the expense of the players. He added that the players have been allowed to find new teams in order to advance their volleyball careers.
Five players have joined Maun’s new-kids-on-the-block, Yaros, while Oakantse Badiri and Mavis Setlhong joined Mag Stimela. Garanna said they will meet during the off-season around November to map the way forward for the club and possibly identify individuals who could run it. He said he started the club after realising the potential in the area and would regroup and continue with the club.
“This is a developmental club for the youth in Selebi-Phikwe and the entire Bobirwa area, and it was designed as a stepping stone for youthful volleyball players and we remain committed to developing the talent in the region,” he said.
BVF sport development officer, Peaceful Seleka said despite the withdrawal, the club remains their affiliate and would be allowed to return in future.
“They had pointed out that due to their administrative challenges, they could not continue with the league competition and they requested to be withdrawn from the race,” he said.
Meanwhile, league action continues this weekend with Diphatsa, Kalavango and Mag Stimela men’s sides playing in Serowe. They will be joined by Mag Stimela and Kalavango women’s sides.
Third-placed Kutlwano will be playing catch up on leaders BDF VI and second-placed Police VI, who are both not engaged this weekend. Kutlwano play Spiking Stars and Yaros at Police College in Otse.
Mafolofolo and Prisons complete the list of the men’s sides that will be playing in Otse. In the women’s league, Yaros play Mafolofolo, BDF VI will be up against Dynamites while Yaros come up against Kutlwano on Saturday.
The following day, Kutlwano face Spiking Stars while Dynamites and Mafolofolo wrap up the weekend fixtures.