Botswana exit squash WC with heads high

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Friday June 14, 2013 00:00

 

The third place finish was not enough to see them through to the last 16, but Botswana return home with heads high after beating fellow debutantes Poland 2-1 in a three-series qualifier on Monday.Their next match was against New Zealand who fielded world number 97, Paul Coll and he beat Koketso Ntshebe 11-6, 11-2, 11-2 in a match that lasted 18 minutes. Alister Walker then beat Campbell Grayson, ranked 42 in the world, in a tightly contested five-game match. He won 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 10-12, 7-11. New Zealand then secured their win through Martin Knight who edged America-based star Lekgotla Mosope 11-2, 11-1, 11-4.

In the opening match, Mosope did well to thrust Botswana ahead with an 11-1, 11-4, 12-10 victory over Marcin Karwowski.Walker reiterated that the positive outing will help the sport get recognition from the relevant bodies.Botswana Squash Racket Association (BSRA) president, Tiego Rabasha, also believes this will shift the face of squash in the country.'It will give them an appreciation of what squash can do for the country. And hopefully it will help us attract sponsors. Ali encouraged us to be here - and I'm glad we came.'

Botswana's 14-year-old Theo Pelonomi has been singled out as the youngest player ever to compete in the championship.Meanwhile, neighbours South Africa stormed into the last eight round of the 24th edition of this biennial event being held in France for the first time and in which 31 nations are competing.  The final will be played tomorrow.