Netball squad jets out for World Championships

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday June 24, 2011 00:00

The 12-strong Botswana squad has four shooters, four mid-court players and four defenders. From an original 24 players, the team was reduced to 15 ahead of three friendly games in Malawi and then to 12 for the Singapore trip.

Portia Rasekhumba, Violet 'Towering' Moabi, Tebogo Radipotsane and Botlhale Moeng spearhead the Botswana attack while Tshegofatso Tlhabuswe, Ogone Gabaratane, Kelebogile Mangole and Gagotheko Tshelametsi are the mid-court players. The defence will feature Ntebogang Motlakaloso, Thulaganyo Segopolo, Kagisano Mawela and Florah Keeditse.

Even though she is quite short, Rasekhumba is very lethal in shooting. She was the best accurate shooter at the World Cup qualifiers hosted by South Africa last year. She will be ably supported by Moabi who does not struggle to score because of her height.  The mid-court is Botswana's best department where the tireless Tshelametsi pulls the strings. National team coach, Seipei Gaelisiwe said they have been working hard on their defence since they returned from Malawi. Kagisano Mawela, the oldest player in the department is expected to work over time and motivate the youngsters.

Young shooter, Tumisang Bagidi has been left out of the final squad and so is Beauty Letsholo (mid-court) and Rosinah Ramoja (defender). Botswana is currently ranked number 18 in the world and number three in Africa. At the last World Cup, Botswana finished 10th out of 18 countries. The country is in Pool C with Singapore, South Africa and Jamaica.