We learnt vital lessons - netball coach

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Friday July 15, 2011 00:00

However, the coach has said the team learnt vital lessons from the tournament after finishing 13th out of 16 countries. Botswana won three games against Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

The girls got off to a flying start, beating Singapore 43-36 but faltered in their next game against a stronger Jamaica side, which is ranked fourth in the world. The local side lost 74-23 and succumbed 57-38 to neighbours South Africa.

After failing to make it to the next round they met Wales in the position nine play-offs. Wales narrowly won 46-45.

Gaelesiwe said the team enlisted the services of a psychologist late. She said there is a need for constant counselling if the team is to do better in future. She said there were instances where the team led only to slip up due to lack of mental toughness.

Gaelesiwe said there is need to play competitive sides often. 'I think the reason we played well against Singapore was because we knew them because we had played them before the championships,' she said.

Team captain Portia Rasekhumba shared her coach's sentiments. She said although they had trained hard this time they were let down by lack of stamina. 'I think we need more physical training,' she said. Rasekhumba said they managed to match their opponents only to falter at critical stages. 'All the teams that we played were of the same standard but were fitter than us,' she said.

Botswana, who finished eighth in the same competition in 2007, had set themselves the same target or higher. 

However, the team did not return empty-handed because defender Kagisano Mawela and shooters Violet Moabi and Tebogo Radipotsane were each named players of the match against Singapore, Sri Lanka and Malaysia respectively.

The team's performance is likely to impact on Botswana's world rankings.