Finals postponement a blessing for Police
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday June 8, 2024 06:00
The league finals were initially supposed to be played on May 30 in Orapa but have been postponed to July 4 at the same venue. Police women's title defence was in doubt as some of their players were out nursing injuries. The side will head into the Top Eight finals leading the log in the southern zone with 26 points from 14 outings after registering 14 wins and one loss. Cross-town rivals, BDF Cats, are breathing down their neck with 24 points, 12 wins, and two losses. Jwaneng Club, which went on a shopping spree during the transfer window, is in position three with 22 points from 14 matches, with 11 wins and three losses. Vipers are the men's defending champions but it has been a tough season for them as they find themselves in position three with seven points. Police lead the pack with 16 points from eight games and are undefeated. Cats, like the women's counterparts, are in second position with 10 points from eight fixtures, recording five wins and three losses.
Police coach, Latto Monyama, said the delay in playing the finals is a blessing. “Some of our players that we normally use in the starting line-up were injured so as we speak they have recovered. The postponement has worked for us. If we could have played the final last week, they were not going to play and that was going to be a blow for us,” he said. Meanwhile, Botswana Netball Association (BONA) spokesperson, Stanley Modibedi, said the finals were postponed after an agreement between BONA and league sponsors, LUCARA Botswana. “The primary reason for the postponement was logistical issues that could not be addressed within the initial time frame. Ensuring the smooth execution of an event of this magnitude requires meticulous planning and coordination. It was crucial to accommodate the needs of all stakeholders and guarantee that all logistical aspects were fully covered,” Modibedi said.
He said the extra time would allow the organisers to better prepare, ensuring a seamless and successful event. Meanwhile, it has been an eventful season for netball which saw a motion of no confidence passed against some members of the executive committee including the former president, Malebo Raditladi-Nkgakile. However, it seems like the boardroom battles did not reach the netball courts as teams went all out to play ball, according to Modibedi. “The performance has been impressive. They showcased a high level of competitiveness and skill across the board. The matches have been intensely contested, with several games being decided by the narrowest of margins, often just a difference of two points.
This speaks volumes about the evenly matched nature of the teams and the high standard of play within the league,” he said. In the northern zone, TASC lead the women's category after bagging 27 points from 14 games with 13 wins and a draw. Maun Heroes were in second spot with 22 points from 14 outings after winning 11 matches and registering three losses. TAFIC are third with 21 points after 10 wins, three losses and a single loss. TAFIC lead the men’s pack with 16 points after eight assignments after a 100% win record. Heroes follow with 10 points from eight matches, after recording five wins and three losses.