20 Jun 2022

BDF Cats women started the Lucara Netball League competition on a high note by walloping Vipers 62-53-at Bona Courts over the weekend.

Vipers controlled the game in the first quarter as they were on a 14-12 lead, but BDF Cats changed the complexion of the game on the second quarter to end the quarter 34-25. 

It was show time for the army women as they pushed from where they left off to win the third quarter 51-36. They kept the momentum to register the first victory of the league.

The men’s game between Notwane and Police saw Police having an easy day. Police made their intention known early as they won the first quarter 9-5.

Notwane allowed Police to win the second and the third quarters with 13-18 and 19-24 respectively and Police won with 31-33.

In an interview, BDF Cats women coach, Mapene Ntwayagae, said even though most of the players were tired from the morning game they worked really hard.

She said discipline, determination and team spirit spurred the team to victory.

Police head coach, Tshegofatso Latto, was impressed by his team’s performance, given that he used most of the newly registered players.

He said they did well and managed to beat the hectic opponents. Latto noted that he kept on substituting where it was not working and encouraged his players to have fun and enjoy the game.

In the northern Zone Tasc women thrashed Boteti 88-10.

Boteti lost to Tafic by 14-94, while Tasc defeated Thunderbolts by 46-36. Nico women 35-41 to Tafic. Tafic men repeated their women team’s winning feat by walloping Thunderbolts men 31-22.

Botswana Netball Association’s marketing and public relations officer, Mokeresete Mokeresete, said Lucara National League which started on June 18 would run from June to November with the first part of the tournament being the group stages. 

The second part would see the teams compete in the top eight and the finals, the league would include both teams from North and south.

“National league is the highest level of competition in the country, it gives our players an opportunity to be actively engaged and on for as it is played over a stretch. Such would definitely improve the performance of all our national teams,” Mokeresete said.

He said the national league involved both men and women teams, as the national team would be preparing for the world cup billed for South Africa.

Mokeresete said there are confident about their players competing effectively with other countries as they would be physically, mentally and psychologically prepared. ENDS