Suspended softball coaches replaced
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday May 27, 2023 06:00
The trio has been suspended following allegations of indiscipline. According to a statement from the Botswana Softball Association (BSA) secretary-general, Dr Nozie Payet, during the WBSC Africa women qualifiers closing ceremony, there was an act of indiscipline involving the Botswana team.
“The team felt aggrieved by decisions taken regarding the playing structure and were reluctant to participate in the closing ceremony, causing a delay in the proceedings.
This happened in the presence of dignitaries and stakeholders and the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) chairperson, Marumo Morule, who was present at the ceremony, expressed his discontent at such behaviour on the spot,” the letter reads. The three coaches have been replaced by Ross Mosupakwana (coach), Gopolang Matsila (assistant coach one), Trevor Musa (coach two) and Ayumi Yokosawa (coach three). Isabella Kitso comes in as the new team manager. BSA technical director, Gontlafetse Batsetswe told Mmegi Sport that he is yet to establish the progress that has been made in appointing a disciplinary committee to deal with the suspended coaches' case. He explained that the current coaches have been appointed on an interim basis until the end of July. Meanwhile, Batsetswe said preparations for the WBSC Women’s World Cup Group Stage have started. Botswana has been slotted into Group A, with the games set for Dublin, Ireland from July 11-15.
Botswana will be in the same group with world number one, United States of America (USA), Australia, Great Britain, Ireland and one team from Asia to be determined. “The team leadership has appointed 28 players mostly under the age of 25 who will be assembling this weekend for the selection of the final 16. The training camp starts on May 27-29 and the second camp is from June 8-11, while the third camp is set for June 17-30 and the last camp is scheduled for July 1-7,” Batsetswe said. He said the team jets off for Ireland on July 8 and returns on July 17. When asked about appearance fees for players who were dropped from the team, Batsetswe said he did not have information in that regard.
Only six of the players that competed during the WBSC Africa qualifiers made it into the team. The players are owed appearance fees and only received camping allowances. Players called for camp: Wame Ramontsho (Carats), Lesego Ditau (Yankees), Kaone Matenge (Scramblers), Marria Leave (Police), Wangu Gondo (Titans), Gothatamang Sixpence (Vikings), Ndapiwa Mothakaja (Carats), Monkgogi Hulela (Yankees), Magdeline Mmapitse (Police), Bafedile Dube (Vikings), Leatile Seonyatse Badirile (Yankees), Lebitso Mpitsa (UB), Angel Dikolobe (Yankees), Kamogelo Lesobea (UB), Amantle Matome (BDF), Refilwe Mosipidi (Wells), Tshegofatso Gotapele (Yankees), Kedibonye Mogatusi (Vikings), Onkokame Thakoyakgomo (Titans), Segolame Pule (UB), Bonolo Molefhe (Police), Kemo Motaleng (Yankees), Segolame Mosweu (BDF), Lorato Nelson (UB), Maitumelo Serumola (Titans), Pesalema Bothman (Bears), Morongwa Sephekolo (Titans) and Charity Isaac (Police).