25 Jun 2020

Botswana Netball Association (BONA)  is considering ways through which to regain its reputation after having a tough time even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The association’s president, Malebo Raditladi, said in an interview that they would prioritise renovation of BONA facilities to ensure adherence to COVID-19 regulations.

She said BONA had suspended most of its events, adding that they would not rush to resume games.

“BNSC has asked all affiliates to present their plans beyond COVID-19. BONA presented its proposal to the ministry and later to BNSC.  We believe there is a need to ensure that the netball community understand impact of the pandemic and why government needed to halt all activities,” she said.

“The use of one ball by close to 30 people in a single game of netball is reason enough to believe that we need to come-up with a proposal on how to mitigate against any fear of infection,” she said.

She added that the association’s annual general meeting that was scheduled for April was postponed, adding that COVID-19 had also affected their plans to send three players who were identified by an Australian team.

 Raditladi said, despite the set-back, they had distributed a schedule of meetings to their affiliates and stakeholders.

She said the southern zone committee meeting held over the weekend was the first, adding that they had also met with team management, as well as coaches and umpires representatives.

“This coming weekend we will be meeting the northern zone affiliates in Francistown followed by athletes, grassroots coaches and other stakeholders, ” she added.

Raditladi said after their education process, they would focus on an impact assessment on individuals and groups to map way forward. ENDS