Flying start for Botswana at squash WC

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Thursday June 13, 2013 00:00

United States-based star Lekgotla Mosope thrust Botswana ahead with an 11-1, 11-4, 12-10 victory over Marcin Karwowski, but Pole Lukasz Stachowski fought back, beating Koketso Ntshebe in four games to level proceedings.It then took just 22 minutes for Botswana's number one Alister Walkerto dispatch Poland's top-ranked Wojtek Nowisz 11-7, 11-2, 11-5 to complete the country's first World Champs win.'It will definitely be good for squash in Botswana and will help us get recognition from the relevant bodies,' said Walker after the game. Botswana Squash Rackets Association (BSRA) president, Tiego Rabasha added the positive start will change 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. 'We hope he will benefit from exposure to squash at this level,' said Rabasha. Botswana's next game was against New Zealand late tonight.New Zealand looks the strongest side in Group E, having twice finished runners up. They have been at the championships 23 times. Walker told Mmegi Sport that New Zealand would be their toughest challenge in the competition. 'It's going to be tough all the way down with three world ranked players,' he said.