National netball team off to Singapore

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Monday June 27, 2011 00:00

 

On Friday, a farewell dinner was hosted for the team by the Botswana Netball Association (BONA). Team captain, Portia Rasekhumba promised at the event that although it is not going to be easy, they will do their best to bring good results.

Rasekhumba said their qualification for the World Championships was a joint effort. 'We take this time to thank everybody who played a part in our qualification,' she said.  Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, Ruth Maphorisa is positive that the team will represent the country well in Singapore.

'I have seen netball grow in leaps and bounds and reach several milestones and I am sure they will not disappoint,' she said at the dinner. She stated that the huge sponsorship BONA secured for the netball league is a sign that the association is doing things right.

She told the players that they should go to Singapore to enjoy themselves on and off the field. 'Winning is 50 percent and having fun is the other 50 percent,' she said. She reminded the players to behave in a way that will not bring the country into disrepute.

'Do not do anything that you will not be comfortable reading about in the newspapers the following day,' she advised. Botswana faces a tough battle to qualify from a group that includes African powerhouse South Africa, world number four, Jamaica and hosts Singapore.  The top two teams advance to the next level of the competition. Botswana's easiest game might be the opener against the hosts on July 3, which it has beaten twice in recent times. However, South Africa and Jamaica will be tough nuts to crack.

While Jamaica's fourth position in world rankings makes them formidable, South Africa has always had the better of Botswana in netball. Botswana first took part in the World Championships in 2007 and finished ninth out of 16 nations.  The Botswana team: Gagotheko Tshelametsi, Tebogo Radipotsane, Tshegofatso Thabuswe, Ntebogang Motlakaleso (BDF Cats), Violet Moabi, Kelebogile Mangole, Ogone Gabaratane, Florah Keeditse (TASC), Portia Rasekhumba (captain), Thulaganyo Segopolo, Botlhale Moeng (UB Crystals), Kagisano Mawela (Notwane). Coach: Gaelesiwe Seipei; Assistant: Delroy Nkomazana.