14 Aug 2022

Botswana netball national team, Dinaledi left for Pretoria Saturday, where they are expected to compete in the Africa Regional Netball World Cup Qualifiers.

Dinaledi are in Pool A with the host, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Tanzania, and their first game will be against Namibia on August 21.

Speaking during a send-off ceremony on Saturday, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) president, Botsang Tshenyego encouraged the team to represent the country with gusto.

He said securing a slot in the world cup would not be a walk in the park, but was confident that they would make it.

Tshenyego said netball had a good reputation in the country and it was up to individual players to take it to the next level.

He said theirs was a huge responsibility, to represent the country and delivering a good performance at the qualifiers would be an important milestone.

“Remember you will be branding the country, showcasing values, commitment and the role of sport.

You should handle yourselves well as individuals and as a team,” stated Tsheyego.

Botswana Netball Association (BONA) president, Malebo Raditladi-Nkgakile said the team should represent the country well on and off the court.

“We have done everything for you against all odds, now the onus is on you to make it to the World Cup,” said Raditladi-Nkgakile.

The team’s captain, Tumisang Bagidi told BOPA that the team was well prepared and that she was confident they would qualify for the World Cup.

She said they started with mini league beginning of the year and did their individual work assigned to them by their coaches, adding that they were prepared physically and mentally.

Pool B has Uganda, Malawi, eSwatini, Zambia, and Kenya.

Only two countries from the qualifiers will make it to the World Cup billed for Cape Town, South Africa next year.

Team Botswana has Cheludo David, Barati Phesodi, Fatima Dino, Kgomotso Matibini, Letang Mogotlhwane, Hilda Binang, Gosego Tsele, Maungo Simone, Beauty Radioseng, Tumisang Bagidi, Kelebogile Mangole, Margaret Banda, Maipelo Mosotho, and Ntebogang Motlakaloso.

The team will be under the tutelage of South African coach, Jenny Van Dyk, who will be assisted by Neo Ntwaagae and Seipei Gaelesiwe. ENDS