Teletswana Quits Volleyball League

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Monday March 15, 2010 00:00

 

This was evident when they did not turn up at the league games on Saturday in Gaborone.

Team manager Shakes Mogami has confirmed that they have decided to withdraw from the league because they do not have enough players. He said when the league started they thought they would make it but it has been tough.

Mogami said his players reside in different places and that it is always not easy to get them to train together.  He said since the window period is not opened yet there is no way they can get new players.

Mogami said their withdrawal has nothing to do with allegations that they are sabotaging the league because the sponsor is a rival telecommunication company. 'We regard that as petty talk, and are not bothered by things like that,' Mogami said.

He said they felt they should just take time off to put their house in order and hope to be back next season. In the meantime, he said they would take part in tournaments if invited. Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) Vice President (technical) George Keotsene also confirmed receiving withdrawal communication from Teletswana but would not give the reasons.

'From the conversation that we had with them, it shows that they have their own problem that has nothing to do with the league,' Keotsene said.  He added that they have accepted Teletswana's decision but said usually there is a punishment that is taken against a team that withdraws in the middle of the season.

' I would not say what decision will be taken because we have not communicated that to them yet,' Keotsene said. Keotsene said prior to their withdrawal Teletswana never indicated that they had a problem.

Meanwhile, in the only women's game played in Gaborone on Saturday, Magstimela beat Spiking Stars 3-0 in an interesting encounter played at the BNPC courts. From this encounter it was clear that volleyball is growing. The two teams showed much maturity in their level of play and it was evident that the days of the same team dominating will soon be history.  Both teams' officials cited insufficient training for the teams' lack of aggression, adding that with constant practices they can do better.

In the men's games played in Gaborone Mafolofolo conquered Desert Kings 3-1 while Spiking Stars eclipsed Magstimela 3-0.