20 Oct 2016

Official draw of the Netball World Youth Cup 2017 which was conducted on October 20 in Gaborone has pitted Botswana against Pool C giants.
Group C consists of America continent, Jamaica from Cook Island will represent Oceania, Malaysia will represent Asia while Uganda and Botswana will represent the continent of Africa.
Speaking at the draw, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Thapelo Olopeng said a draw was a high point of activity, which was itself a demonstration of commitment.
The draw, he said was a demonstration of the commitment of International Netball Federation (INF), in partnership with Botswana to deliver the Netball World Youth Cup in July 2017. This draw signifies a serious declaration by the INF-Botswana.
“A youth competition is always more important, as it is a training ground for future competitions and stars. A youth competition creates a pool from which we all expect to draw in future. It is a motivation for firming-up in excellence. This particular youth competition, shines the spotlight on young girls, and has the effect of empowering the young girls to become great leaders,” he said.
Olopeng said it was pleasing that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and its critical partners are all working very hard towards that time when 19 countries from around the globe will converge in Botswana to compete in the first INF World Competition hosted by an African state.
“Not only is this your first time, Madam INF President, to host a world competition in Africa, but it is also the first world cup sporting event for Botswana;  a very important milestone in the journey of Botswana sport development,” he said.
Minister Olopeng said Botswana was therefore excited, and yet not intimidated, as the country had hosted similar events before, such as AYG in 2014, which served as a preparation.
INF president, Molly Rhone said for INF it was the first ever Netball World Youth Cup to be hosted by Botswana, adding it was the first world sport event ever to be staged in the country.  
“I would like to thank the government of Botswana for the support they had given, firstly, in winning the bid and secondly for their continuing support to the LOC,” she said.
She said hosting Netball World Youth Cup 2017 would be a great opportunity to showcase Botswana to the world that they can deliver the games.
Rhone urged all stakeholders to take ownership of the event and make the greatest effort to support the organising committee and the Botswana team.
Pool A has New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Scotland, Northern Island and Samoa while Pool B has Australia, South Africa, Barbados, Zimbabwe and Singapore. England, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Wales and Grenada are in pool D. ENDS