06 Oct 2025

The executive committee of the Botswana Netball Association (BONA) is hard at work to turn around the performance of netball in the country, which is said to have been on a nosedive in recent years.

Speaking during a press conference on Friday in Gaborone, BONA president Mpopi Moatlhodi said the objective of the newly elected executive committee was to resuscitate netball and make it an attractive and competitive sport.

Moatlhodi said the three-month-old committee was diverse, with each member bringing in a wealth of experience and a deep love for netball as well as a clear vision of what they want to achieve.

She said the executive committee was stepping in at a critical time for the sport, as netball faced key issues that demanded long-term solutions.

Moatlhodi said the key issues include amongst others limited funding and lack of sponsors, which makes securing sustainable funding to support their programmes, national teams and their leagues one of the committee’s primary challenges.

She however, said they were working hard to attract corporate sponsorships, as well as exploring innovative fundraising opportunities to ensure that the growth of netball was not limited by financial constraints.

Furthermore, Moatlhodi said they understand the responsibility that was placed in their hands, and that they were ready to deliver against all odds.

“Together, we are committed towards achieving our strategic goals, from grassroots development to elite performance, from gender equity to community engagement,” she said.

Moatlhodi therefore, pleaded with all the stakeholders to join hands with BONA in building the competitiveness of netball in the country. 

Referring to the press conference, she said their engagement with the media marks a new chapter for their federation, marked by fresh ideas, renewed commitment and a shared passion for the growth and excellence of the game.

Newly-appointed head coach, Martha Mosoahle-Samm said she was happy to have been given the responsibility to take Botswana to the next level.

Mosoahle-Samm, who said she is happy with the country’s pool of netballing talent, pointed out that one of her deliverables was that Botswana qualifies for the Netball World Cup 2027.

“I do not have much say, people who know me know that my job is in the court. Talking is not my thing, unless we talk technical and tactical things,” she said. ENDs