National junior teams decline due to lack of school sport
Although sport in government schools has been a key development phase for youngsters over the years, it is no longer viewed as essential, it was brought to a screeching halt even before the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020.
The result of not having school sport has reared its ugly head recently when the Ladies National Under 17 team was
trashed 7-0 by Tanzania in the wake of the World Cup qualifiers, in Tanzania a week ago. Team Coach, Oaitse Moeti has not denied the fact that lack of school sport has been a major blow for the team. “Honestly, in terms of identification of players, we have struggled. Most women players start playing at form 1, few start at Primary levels.”
Moeti further noted that most teams don’t
have development structures so it has been hard to get players due to the break, partly caused by Covid -19. The junior team coach believes there will be more implications going into the future but said there is an element of positivity as there will be other development structures apart from schools.
“Sports code/Associations are coming up with age based competitions, that will entice teams to start youth development structures,” he stressed.
On the other hand, Moeti said they do not use this as an excuse and they are preparing. “We are preparing ourselves to get positive results that we can build going forward.”
Local sport pundit, Jimmy George said the girls will surely do with a lot of practice since playing at schools helped with their sharpness and kept them active most of the time.
The team will play host to Tanzania on Sunday at the Obedi Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown and they are expected to use home ground advantage to cut down the deficit of 7 goals.
Moeti will be hopeful that his team is on song and will want to avoid another embarrassment against Tanzania, something which will likely dent his reputation as a coach.