BY PATIENCE LEPHOGOLE
Botswana Police netball women will battle it out at the just started Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organization (SARPCCO) games.
The games began yesterday and will run until 13th August. The coach is adamant the team will surpass expectations.
The games, which are held every two years by different Southern African Countries, are this year held at Luanda, Angola. Only Police officers are allowed to compete in the games, hence only Jungle Queens team members will be participating.
The netball team has never won during the games, and to date their performance has not been impressive. The team will be led by its Police Netball Club coach Tshegofatso Monyama, whom after joining the club Jaguars have been the reigning champions in all tournaments.
Despite the team having bad performance in the past years, Monyama is optimistic that this year they will do well, after several intensive training and preparations for the games. He said “People should expect change in the performance of the team, we have prepared very well with no doubt of bringing home medals.”
“I have been trusted with the team; as such I hope to bring at least a medal and trophy for the first time since the existence and participation of the team. Previously I have managed to polish my teams and substantiates to be a better liberator hence scooping Gold medal in both sections of the 2018 National League, I can do it again at these games. I brought the best team, and am confident that they will not disappoint me, in fact they will execute our plans well,” Monyama.
He further added that they have had ample time to prepare. He said “We have participated in several friendly games which were hosted by different teams; we also went for a week camp at Otse Police College, hence I am expecting better renowned results.”
“The other thing that gives me hope is that most of the times we were training with men’s teams so that is only an advantage because the girls gained more strength due to men’s strength. I have most valuable players who joined team recently whom will be their first time attending the games, our competitors are in for a treat,” he added.
He further added that they are in Angola awaiting fixtures. He said “Meanwhile we are doing light training whilst waiting for fixtures to be released.” Botswana Police has also sent a team of athletics, volleyball and darts.
The Games were first hosted by the South African Police Service in 1999 and this saw the dawning of a new era of relationship building between the various Police Agencies in the Southern African Region. From 1999 the Games were held biannually in various countries such as Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia in 2013.
