Sevens team flies out without hospitality kit
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday October 5, 2017 17:17
The team was seen boarding a flight at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport donning different colours, a trend not expected from a team on national duty.
The team manager, Ernest Mantsi told Mmegi Sport that they wore different colours because they did not have a hospitality kit. He said the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) hospitality kit fund was exhausted.
Despite being cagey with the details, Mantsi said they normally have a kit sponsor, but this time around, things did not go according to plan as the sponsor pulled out the sponsorship.
Botswana is in Pool B alongside Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Mauritius. Pool A comprises the host Uganda, Tunisia, Morocco, Zambia and Ghana. Teams ranked one and two at the end of the tournament would automatically qualify for the Rugby World Cup Sevens to be held in 2018 in San Francisco, USA. They would also take part in the World Series qualifier tournament in Hong Kong in 2018. The best two countries that are members of the Commonwealth would qualify for the next Commonwealth Games. “The mood is high in the camp and we are ready to represent our country. Training has gone according to plan and our aim (is) to improve our rankings in the continent,” he said.
The team: Kagiso Molefhi, Farouk Diphera, Tefo Ramoroka, Rambo Masalila, Damelin Motlogelwa, Thabang Moepi, Alphious Mokotedi, Mpho Rramorweenyane, Masego Moalosi, Ketshidile Matenanga, Tafadzwa Mcube and Lempaletse Ngaka.
Seabe Gabatlediwe (coach) and Oarabile Tshenyego (physiotherapist).