14 Apr 2016

When International Netball Federation officials (INF) put Botswana facilities under microscopic check last year, they made specific recommendations.

They gave Botswana Netball Association (BONA) president, Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego, chance to prove that she can deliver the Netball World Youth Cup 2017.  

This would be a historic moment because Africa would be hosting the cup for the first time “This is indeed a giant task, first our team preparedness is in progress. We managed to hold our first camp in Gaborone recently,” said Lebotse-Sebego, who is also Africa Netball president.

 She disclosed that they had identified 40 netballers out of which 12 will be selected to represent Botswana in the 2017 world cup adding that the team comprised youth who were selected from Botswana Games and Africa Youth Games.

“There was no money to scout for talent. And we believe that since Botswana Games represents eight districts, this would suffice.”

Furthermore, Lebotse-Sebego revealed that an international coach had been identified and they were at a stage of drawing a contract outlining terms and conditions of employment.

“We want the coach to be here before the African Netball World Cup qualifiers to be held from 23-July 23-31, 2016.  We expect 10 countries to compete and so far eight have confirmed,” she said. However, there are some within the netball circles who expressed concern of the team’s sluggish preparedness.

“We are seriously behind schedule in preparing the product, this is what spectators are going to consume and therefore serious focus should be here,” said a source who preferred anonymity.

On facilities readiness, Lebotse-Sebego said they were working round the clock to implement recommendations of INF, despite the tight budget.

“Our budget is P35 million and this month government disbursed P10.9 million to be used for the world cup preparations.”

The netball president said the funds fell below budget and there was need to rope in sponsors, adding that they were in the process of launching a commercial strategy. 

“We will start engagements with the private sector.  We have not finished identifying sponsors as yet,” she said.

She said the biggest challenge, which was perhaps the reason why things had been moving at a slow pace was because the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) comprised people who worked on voluntary basis and they needed to engage a full time secretariat to ensure success of administration of the games.

She said nonetheless progress was being made on implementing recommendations by INF, which recommended that it was international netball practice to play the game on a wooden sprung floor.

“We need two wooden sprung floors for University of Botswana indoor sporting complex and Ditshupo Hall.

Right now we have managed to buy one at a cost of P1.5 million,” she said. ENDS