18 Jun 2024

Botswana volleyball men’s team made up of George Chiswaniso and Jack Sekao left the country Monday for 2024 Continental Beach Volleyball Cup - Paris Olympic Games Qualifiers set for June 18 to 23 in Tetouan, Morocco.

Other participating countries are Morocco, Gambia, Guinea Bisau, Senegal, Siera Leone, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda Mozambique, South Africa, and Comoros Mauritius.

Of the 16 participating teams, only one will make it to the Olympics, and team Botswana fancies its chance.

In an interview before departure, Chiswaniso said they did not prepare enough to face some of the formidable teams in Africa but were prepared to fight for the badge and make it to the Olympics.

“Truth be told, we had wanted an international camp, that did not happen but we cannot sit back and let other nations do as they please with our team,” he said

Chiswaniso said most of the countries that they would be competing against were in Ghana when Team Botswana won a bronze medal, adding that they were not a closed book to them.

On the other hand, Sekao took solace in the fact that they had a camp here at home for 10 days.

He said they had last played their competitive game at the African Games which were held in Ghana in March, and since then they had been inactive.

“All in all that will not be an excuse, but we are not under any pressure, the teams we are going to face are the same teams we meet regularly, we are aware that there is only one spot, but I can assure Batswana that we are going to fight to make history and qualify for the Olympics,” he said.

Coach, Agisanang Kurwana said the team was ready, and had demonstrated before that with their little or no resources, they would be counted amongst the best.

He said they had been preparing well at Marabou Rocks. Ends