Three of Botswana netball’s rising stars have been contracted to play in next year’s Singapore Super league. The three are Notwane’s Centre Court player Sarona Hans, UB Crystals’ Goal Attacker Boikanyo Selogetso and Goalkeeper Letang Mokgotlhwane from the Jungle Queens.
The trio, who were part of the Botswana team at this year’s 2nd Africa Youth Games, will be joined by another national team star, Hildah Binang who will be making her second appearance at the Singapore Super league.
The news of the enlistment of the players was confirmed by the Botswana Netball Association (BONA) President Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego. The BONA President confirmed that the contracts for all the four players have been signed and they will all leave for various teams in Singapore next year.
The move comes as no surprise after the heroics of Binang in last year’s Singapore league when the then 20 year old was voted the Most Valuable International player. Speaking in an interview, Lebotse-Sebego expressed delight at the latest development, saying it bodes well for the country ahead of the 2017 World Youth Netball Championships which will be hosted in Botswana.
“If all goes according to plan, these three youngsters, Sarona, Boikanyo and Letang are expected to be the core of the team that will represent us during the 2017 World Youth Netball Championships. Their exposure in a foreign league will go a long way in helping us prepare for these championships,” Lebotse-Sebego said.
She said the enlistment of the three youngsters was a deliberate plan to ensure the fast tracking of their growth in netball.
She said as such, the youngsters have also been included in the senior national team setup as a way to facilitate their exposure to international netball. Had all things gone as was expected, the BONA President said they would have liked another forward, Tara Matija to have joined the players in Singapore.
Unfortunately for the Africa Youth Games netball team captain, her study timetable could not allow for such as she is currently doing her A-Levels. Another player who will miss out on the Singapore League due to study commitments is senior national team forward Tumisang Bagidi, who is studying at the University of Botswana.
Lebotse-Sebego said though the players will be based in Singapore for only three months, it will give them a chance to have a feel of international netball and prepare them for the future.
