BONA president won't take laziness
Shingirai Madondo | Sunday December 8, 2013 20:44
Lebotse, who is also the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) regional director, said she would only work with people who were willing to see the game of netball growing from strength to strength.
She wants the netball fraternity to be focused towards taking the game to greater heights – a development that will have a strong bearing in ensuring that netball attracts sponsors and general support in terms of following.
“Those with different agendas should step aside and leave the game of netball to those who do want to run it,” said Lebotse in a tough tone. Recently, there have been some diverging elements within the game of netball, she said.
Lebotse said she did not have a problem with deviating opinions. But her problem is opinions that are not constructive and geared at growing the beautiful game of netball in Botswana and beyond the borders.
According to Lebotse, 2014 is a taxing one for BONA. In May next year, about 54 countries are expected to converge in Gaborone for the 2014 Africa Youth Games.
Children under the age of 18 years are expected to participate at the games to be staged over a period of two weeks. “And we want our netball team to glow. With the home ground advantage, coaches and everybody involved should work extra hard for the team to be on top,” said the renowned sport administrator.
She said measures to ensure accountability and delivery would be put in place. Lebotse said BONA was faced with a daunting task of proving to both the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) and the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) that it was a capable association.
“So there is no time for jokes and laziness,” she said. Lebotse lamented that the spirit of volunteerism was waning – a development that calls for those with authority to pull up their socks.
Besides the youth games, Botswana will also take part in the World Youth Championships qualifying games in July next year and other regional competitions.