After an illustrious career, Ribbin indicated during the 2024 CAVB Zone VI Senior Club Volleyball Championships held in Gaborone in December that he will retire from playing. But the towering volleyball legend told MmegiSport he will move into coaching and is already working towards attaining his badges. Standing at 2.02 metres Ribbin said he felt it was time to retire as he has done enough for Police VI and volleyball in general. He explained that it was the right time for him to call it a day because he has been in the game for more than two decades. Ribbin pointed out that his retirement is a way to pave the way for youngsters. He said it is an opportunity for upcoming talent to prove their worth and enjoy their moment like he did. “I am not done with volleyball as last year I completed a Level 2 coaching course in Lesotho and my plan is to join the technical team,” he said.
It has been a long journey for the tall star who has spent nearly 30 years playing the game. “I was born 43 years ago in Nkange village. I started playing volleyball in 1998 at Nkange Junior Secondary School after being spotted by my teacher. She felt that I had good height for the sport. The first tournament I competed in was the Pandagala tournament played in Tutume the same year. I never looked back after that,” he said. Ribbin continued to push his passion and joined Kutlwano Volleyball Club, where he continued learning the ropes.
He went on to play for Police VI after being recruited by the Botswana Police Service. “The first major championship that I won was the Mascom Top 8 Cup with Police VI and that was the turning point in my career and the team in 2006. We then qualified for the 2006 CAVB Senior Clubs Championships in Swakopmund. Volleyball has always been so much more than a sport to me. It has been my social circle, my safe space. Volleyball is a team sport; you have to play it in a calm manner and respect your opponents. I am leaving as a happy man and the club is in a good state,” Ribbin said. He said after serving as Police VI captain, he feels that he has created good leaders within the players who can take it forward. Ribbin pointed out that the secret behind Police success is prayer before each game. “I am a middle blocker and I feel it is in good hands. I have nothing to worry about. I think captain Phenyo Thebeng will replace me and the middle blocker will be Alec Engleton. Growing up, I looked up to national team captains, Shadrack Kapeko and Francis Dingwe. I made my national team debut in 2005. I was the youngest player in the team at 22 years,” Ribbin said.
Ribbin said he enjoyed each moment playing with his teammates. Meanwhile, former Kutlwano and national team setter, Tyiyapo Madeluka, said Ribbin was a good player. “He grew right before me. He was taught volleyball by Kapeko at Kutlwano whilst I was already playing for the national team. He is one player I knew very well when it comes to running the court. He would tell you that he does not want to play against me,” Madeluka said. He mentioned that they played the Masters tournament last year and they had a chat after walloping Ribbin’s team in the semi-finals in South Africa.
“He told me that it was time for him to give others an opportunity to shine," Madeluka said. Meanwhile, Kapeko said he met Ribbin as a young man who did not know how to play volleyball. “He was eager to learn and always wanted to play at the highest level. He is a good listener and is respectful. You give him a task, he does it. He always wanted to learn more and do better. Happy likes volleyball, likes training, and winning,” Kapeko said.
FACT FILE
Full names: Happy Ribbin Date of birth: December 24, 1982 Place of birth: Nkange Profession: Police officer and volleyball player Club: Police VI Hand: Right-handed Shoe size: 12 Height: 2,02m Hobbies: Socialising with friends or watching matches on television Marital status: Married to Onneetse Seth-Ribbin
