23 Mar 2022

Yaros volleyball team coach, Driller Sibanda, has hailed his team for an impressive performance  

 Sibanda said this in a post-match interview after a 3-1 victory against Prisons at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks grounds on Sunday. 

This was men team’s second win for the weekend following their 3-2 victory against Kalavango on Saturday.

The coach said, despite the absence of some established players and using players that were yet to gain full momentum due to a long layoff without action, his side proved that it was still a force to reckon with.

He indicated that the team was dominated by young players and had to play against teams, which had experienced players.  

Despite the shortcomings, Sibanda remained optimistic about his side doing well in the preseason and was hopeful to finish in the top four bracket.

 “We have lost a lot of key players. I am currently grooming this team, but I am positive that their commitment will take them far,” said Sibanda.  

Meanwhile, Prisons coach Kealeboga Pebe said his team started the tournament on a low note, losing the first match of the tournament. However, Pebe was hopeful that his team would regroup and collect points in their coming fixtures.

“Our main problem is inefficiency in attack. Our setting is on point. My aim is for the team to finish among the top eight in the tournament,” said Pebe.

A member of the tournament organising committee, Meshack Dire, said the competition was made up of 10 male and nine female teams divided into two groups.

He said the competition was one of the activities that were used to revive the sporting code.

“We are working on reviving volleyball and taking it to the people. We want to revive the sport and give it the pride that it used to hold among the masses,” said Dire.

He said the tournament was currently at its preliminary stages, adding that even though the teams would be rewarded at the end of the tournament, he was not in a position to state how they would be rewarded.

The committee member also added that the players who excelled in different positions would get individual awards.

Dire added that COVID-19 impacted negatively on the sport, hence their efforts to revive the sport and also attract sponsors.

“We are also using the tournament to prepare the players for any eventuality. Our players must be ready for selection for any regional of international activity and even for national team selection. We can only manage to play the game to the fullest of our ability with the support of sponsors,” he said.

In other Sunday fixtures, Police defeated Mafolofolo 3-0 in women encounter.

 In other men encounters played on Sunday, Itekeng lost 1-3 to Diphatsa, while Kutlwano whitewashed Spiking Stars 3-0.

In the men’s groups, Pool A is made up of BDF VI, Prisons, Mafolofolo, Kalavango and Yaros while Pool B comprises of Mag Stimela, Kutlwano, Spiking Stars, Police VI and Diphatsa.

The women’s toss has placed Police VI, Mag Stimela, Dynamites, Spiking Stars and Mafolofolo in Pool A, while Pool B has Kalavango, BDF VI, Kutlwano and Yaros.  BOPA