Hopeless Botswana bowlers prepare for Commonwealth Games

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Thursday September 23, 2010 00:00

 

Botswana Bowling Association (BBA) spokesperson, Lebogang Mascarenhas has told Mmegi Sport that they are not hoping for any medals because players are dissatisfied with coach John Page. Mascarenhas who is a player that said Page does not have enough experience to coach at the high level.

'The coach that we have is not delivering as expected. I do not foresee any of us bringing a medal from the Commonwealth Games. We do not understand him. Page is good for beginners, not players who have played and brought medals from international games. New players understand him better because they have never been coached before.

Most of the bowlers are really not impressed with the coach. We don't know if the coach does not understand us or it is us who do not understand him,' said Mascarenhas. The team is scheduled to leave on Monday next week for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.

Under Page, the Botswana bowling squad failed to bag a medal at the seven-nation African States tournament in Harare last month. The men's singles team finished sixth in the pairs and fourth in the fours. The women's team was fourth in the singles and sixth in the trips, pairs and fours. Overall, Botswana finished a poor fifth out of the seven countries that participated in the Harare tournament.

Mascarenhas said that they failed to play well in African tournament and the trend is set to continue at the Commonwealth Games. 'We failed to play well during an African tournament and I do not see us performing well against the world. Since getting the new coach, our game has gone down,' she said. Mascarenhas stated that though she does not hope to get a medal, she aims to finish in the top 10. Botswana will be represented in the women's team by Ivy Morton, Tirelo Buckley, Obie Mosimanyana, Nellie Senna with Mascarenhas playing singles.

The men's team has Newman Motshidisi, Remmy Kebapetse, Ray Mascarenhas, Oabona Motladiile, Kitso Robert and Boitumelo Mosinyi.

Ray Mascarenhas will not be in camp with the team due to work commitments. His experience is expected to assist the team to do better because he is a good bowler. Lebogang Mascarenhas said the men's team did not take part in the last Commonwealth Games hosted by Australia. Bowling has been one of the medal winners for Botswana in international sport.

Meanwhile, BBA president, Kitso Robert has defended Page saying that he is a top coach in South Africa. He said that the problem is with the bowlers not the coach. He added that Page has been with the team for a short time and could not change things overnight.