19 Feb 2024

A total of 71 enthusiastic young netball players braved the scotching heat on Saturday to gather at Botswana Netball Association (BONA) courts in Gaborone with the hope of finding a place in a provisional Under 21 squad.

The moment of truth came late in the afternoon as the 71 were reduced to 20, a heart-breaking moment for many who failed to make the cut.

The Dinaletsana team is preparing for the Netball World Youth Cup Africa Region qualifiers billed for South Africa on March 17-24.  The actual Netball World Youth Cup will be held in Gibraltar on September 19-28.

According to BONA public relations officer, Mokeresete Mokeresete, the team was expected to have its maiden training camp on the weekend of February 24-25 in Gaborone.

“On March 4, the team will assemble for fitness tests and assessments before going into the final camp, which will run March 5-13,” he said.

He said Dinaletsana would be under the tutelage of Kagisano Mawela assisted by Boitumelo Gabaseme and Neo Dema.

Mokeresete said the head coach and her technical team would announce a final team of 15 players before leaving for the qualifiers. He said the 71 players, who attended the selection event, were from South Zone A, South Zone B, Re Ba Bona Ha (RBBH) Maun Centre, North Zone and Mogoditshane Centre of sports excellence.

The 20-member provisional squad is made up of Tumelo Ratlhogo, Katlo Kontopo, Pearl Phillip and Maduo Motshubelwa from Police, Shirley Tsetse, Grace Molatlhiwa, Michelle Innes and Patronella Tlhapi from Maun RBBH, Olorato Kgokong, Marang Kwenaetsile, Lone Mothelesi and Wangu Mengwe from Jwaneng.

The provisional squad is also made up of Tiroyaone Mokela and Katlo Dipatelelo from Thunderbolts, Kolobetso Mbangiwa, Kefilwe Ragono from BDF Cats, Kamogelo Ngwaga and Chandapiwa Pateletso from UB Crystals as well as Kelesego Kula from Notwane and Gomolemo Serare of Prisons. Ends