The Botswana Netball Association (BONA) will gauge their strength and capabilities to host the long awaited World Youth Netball Championships next year by hosting the Africa qualifiers today (Sunday) in Gaborone at the University Of Botswana (UB).
The qualifiers kick start on Sunday 24th until 30th July at the newly opened University of Botswana indoor sports Arena.
The tournament pits nine African countries Lesotho, Zambia, South Africa, and Namibia amongst the others that will be vying for two of three available African slots for the Youth World cup that will also be held in Botswana next year.
Lesotho will play against Malawi in the opening game at 8am, followed by South Africa VS Zambia at 10am and Zimbabwe VS Swaziland at 12 noon. Botswana will tackle Lesotho after the opening ceremony on Sunday at 4pm as part of their preparations even though they have already qualified for the championships by virtue of being the host.
BONA President Tebogo Lebotse Sebego said the preparations are on course and they are delighted to have been given the opportunity to host a tournament of such magnitude which will contribute to the development of netball in all African regions.
“I can confirm that the preparations are on point and we have our organising team on the ground making the final touches on and off the field, some countries arrived well in time and we have made sure that they get good hospitality wherever they are sited. We are excited that we will be hosting this qualifiers in one of the best indoor arena we have ever had in Botswana that meet international standards” she said
She further stated that it was important to impress the international netball federation (INF) delegates who will be keeping a close eye on the proceedings to determine their ability and readiness to host the world.
She also urged Batswana to come in large numbers to give teams the much needed support which will contribute in the success of the event.
Gaborone will be hosting the first International Netball Federation (INF) Championships ever to be held on the African continent.
