14 Mar 2017

Police XI volleyball team Jetted off to Tunisia on Tuesday for the Africa club championships scheduled for March  17 -26, 2017.

Police XI qualified for the annual continental showpiece after they were crowned champions for Zone 6 volleyball tournament last year December.

The qualification for the Police XI team came in after a six year drought spell for Botswana teams having failed to qualify for the prestigious event in those years.

In preparation for the championships, Police XI setter Tjiyapo Madeluka came up with an initiative to host a mini tournament for the team before their departure this week. 

Madeluka said in an interview that he organised a mini tournament for Police XI to prepare for the games since there was nothing in place to get the team ready themselves in anticipation of a tough competition ahead.

Although the tournament was a last minute thing with the team having played their last game in December, Madeluka believes that it is better than nothing.

The games which were played over the weekend were sponsored by Talk Pool Telecomms.  

Police played against an all stars team comprising national team players including best players from different clubs who were nominated for individual awards in the 2016 Mascom league championships.

In the morning Police XI played against a veteran teams including upcoming players and Police XI won the game 3-1.  The veteran side included some famous volleyball stars in the likes of Francis Dingwe, Prince Matsheka and Peaceful Seleka among others.

In the game between Police XI and Veterans, Police lost three sets to nil (3-0).

Madeluka who is also a setter for the national team acknowledged that the games were not enough given the tough competitions ahead and blamed the unpreparedness to lack of funding.

Meanwhile Mr. Kirtesh Kumar, coach for the All Stars team and also Managing Director for Talk Pool Telecoms stated that he has a long relationship with local volleyball teams hence when Police XI desperately needed support they heeded to their call and sponsored the mini tournament.

“When the situation presented itself, I thought we can give them the best tough competition possible, with that intention we organized these games.”  he said.

He also said that the3-0 loss for police when they played the All Stars means that the game may turn up to be the pivotal strength needed for the police side.

Commenting on inadequate sponsorship for sporting codes in Botswana, Mr. Kumar mentioned that sponsorship is a give and take thing, urging sports bodies to also give support to sponsors to motivation them.

He nevertheless said that he believes Police XI can outdo themselves if they drive themselves very hard during the championships adding that he is positive that they can bring good results if they do that because he has coached the team before.

In between there was entertainment in the form of traditional dance.  Ngwao Setso group serenaded the crowd. 

Also, former My Star Judge and also former volley ball player and now Afro Pop singer Lee Tshipana also entertained the crowd.

Similarly veterans and players who are about to retire were honoured with tokens of appreciation in the form of trophies.

The Club Championships is considered one of the most attractive volleyball tournaments in Africa attracting best clubs from across the continent.  ENDS