Netball prepares for safe return
Challenges at the sporting code precedes the Covid- 19 layoff
Botswana Netball Association ( BONA) has confirmed that all netball activities will resume once government eases
Covid- 19 restrictions.
The association has been struggling to put up competitions together even before the outbreak of the pandemic, as it has been besieged by various challenges, including lack of sponsorship for the top league since 2018.
A challenge remains to get athletes back to participation in the safest way possible, balancing the protection of their health while curbing the societal transmission of the virus.
It is reported that the executive committee has been meeting and reviewing
the netball situation in the country and has been in constant consultation with the Botswana National Sports Commission ( BNSC) for guidance on safe return to play.
The local netball governing body however, remains steadfast to achieve
their long term objectives and have earmarked November 2021 as possible month to fully return to play, including unveiling new sponsors and partners for the local league.
When approached for comment, the association mouthpiece, Mokeresete Mokeresete said they are currently working on ensuring safe return to play and lay a foundation of their future objectives.
“We have successfully submitted our return to play proposal to BNSC, which they have approved. It is a three phased plan which entails serious analysis on how netball has been affected, readiness of the clubs to return to play, testing and COVID- 19 compliance,” Mokeresete stated.
According to Mokeresete, clubs have also been asked to submit their proposals templates on safe return to play with the association ready to extend a helping hand where possible to ensure lives and health of athletes is not compromised.
“Yesterday we held a virtual
meeting with our two zones ( North and South) to gather information on our clubs status in the current times,” he pointed.
With government expected to lift suspension of competitive sport in the near future, netball is expected to return this month.
The senior national team is scheduled to compete in the Africa Netball cup between October and November and also compete at the Pent Series to be held in Namibia- still in November this year.
In addition, Mokeresete told this publication that, “We are planning a return to play tournament in October or November which will be used as a curtain raiser for a number of our activities. We are working around the clock to start our league after the tournament.
We are running around to secure sponsorships and partnerships.”
Following their pronouncement to compete at the up- coming Africa Union Sport Council ( AUSC) Region 5 games billed for Lesotho, Maseru in December 2021, the association has convened a camp to prepare for the regional tournament.
Players eligible to participate at these games are those aged Under 18. The netball spokesperson revealed that their decision has been motivated by the fact that the same games will be held in Malawi in 2022, followed by 2023 Africa Youth Games in Ethiopia and there is need to have consistency and clearly defined pathways for development of athletes.
“We work with BISA ( Botswana Integrated Sports Association) and BOBSA ( Botswana Brigades Sports Association), we have a data- base to make our selections. We used 2019 school sports finals for talent identification and we are targeting Netball Youth World Cup to be held in Gibraltar- 2025, AUSC Region 5 next year in Malawi, Africa Youth U19 games in Ethopia- 2023 and qualifiers for Netball Youth World Cup in 2024. Currently, we are not looking for a result but are laying a foundation for long term development,” Mokeresete shared on their future developments.
A provisional squad of 32 players have been summoned for the first training camp to be held on the 3rd– 5th September 2021, in Gaborone.
This training camp is intended to enable the technical team to have a fair analysis of players.