20 Jan 2020

Botswana ladies national volleyball team players, Gaoleseletse Gasekgonwe and Tshiamo Chakalisa’s impressive play during the Tokyo 2020 Summer

Olympics qualifiers, which were held recently, has secured them a place at the University of Tourism and Business Volleyball Club in Rwanda.

The duo jetted off to Rwanda on January 18 (Saturday) to ply their trade with the club for two years.

The players’ offer comes with a direct entrance into the university to pursue a two-year course of their choice while playing for the university’s volleyball team.

In an interview after their arrival in Rwanda on Monday, Gasekgonwe revealed that they had signed a two-year renewable contract, which will depend on their peformance.

The Magstimela Volleyball Club player was happy for the opportunity to ply her trade externally; a move that would improve her skills and catapult her to another level.

Gasekgonwe said studying while doing something she loved, was a bonus.

“It is not everyday that we get such offers from international clubs and thats the more reason why I will work harder and bring more rewards at the end of my two-year contract,” she assured.

For her part, Kutlwano Volleyball Club player, Chakalisa also elated by the opportunity, said it was inspirational to be based in a country that was doing well in volleyball. 

The national team assistant coach, Shadrack Modiakgotla said the opportunity came at the right time as they were planning on embarking on interventions to give the players exposure. 

“The national team will have players who will be training all the time in a different set up from the one they were used,” he said.

He said University of Tourism and Business Volleyball Club was a good team that had been doing well at the African Club Championships, which was the highest competition in the continent.

Modiakgotla said being part of such a prolific team was a plus for the national team as the ladies would impart the acquired skills on other players when home.

He said given the club’s engagements, the players were likely to attract interests from clubs in Europe.

“There are many players who have played in Rwanda and got recruited to play in European leagues. This therefore, gives not only the two players, but any player in the country prospect to play in the top world leagues,” he said.

He also highlighted that local volleyball players had a lot of potential and needed to   nurture the abundant talent they possess.

The assistant coach said the country had dropped a bit in terms of performance as they no longer participated in the African Club Championships due to financial constraints adding that having more players in other leagues, would enhance the standard of volleyball in Botswana.

Modiakgotla further explained that to qualify for the Olympics Games, teams required not less than four years to prepare. Ends