Softball Team Confident Ahead Of Championships
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday June 13, 2016 14:34
The team wrapped up their weekend preparations by thrashing Dinare 7-2 in a match played at the National Diamond on Saturday. During the camp, the team also played Blue Angels losing 4-3 but beat UB Giants 7-2. Head coach, Basiame Molathiwa told Monitor Sport after the match that the team was initially selected during the Botswana Games that were played in Francistown in December.
“We held another selection to reduce the number to 30. The selection included players who did not participate at the Botswana Games. We had a selection camp in Mmadinare followed by another one in Selebi-Phikwe in March. We again had another camp in Gaborone to cut the number from 19 to 17,” he revealed.
He said their focus during the camps was to see their skills. Molathiwa added that the players adopted well and followed instructions during the camp that took almost a week. He said the idea is not to win matches against local league sides, but to gauge how the players are responding to tactics during the game.
“(We can then see) how we can assist them looking at their performance. There are some who do not respond well during a game and others are better during training. We are happy as the technical team that they are trying their best,” added Molathiwa. He said they expect the team to bring positive results from the World Championships as compared to the previous team that competed in the same competition. He said the players have the zeal to perform better and the pitching department is spot on. Botswana last played at the WBSC championships in Canada in 2007. South Africa and Botswana are the only African countries that will take part in the competition.
Head of delegation: Renny Molete, Letsweletse Jonas (manager), Thompson Misael (coach), Otimile Tapiso (coach), Tony Moyo (coach) Abel Mataboge (umpire), Kgalemang Moamerika (statistian) and Gabotepele Molefhi (physiotherapist).
Pitchers: Samuel Kunyalala, Gideon Puakaa, Kabo Tsiripe and Tumisang Moakofhi.
Catchers: Ali Busang and Obakeng Gaobatege.
Infielders: Kabo Kealotswe, Makata Makata, Maatla Mpeba, Tshepho Ditiro, Mmoloki Mpho, Thabang Tshipa and Ofentse Ketshogile.
Outfielders: Munashe Chinyani, Mokoba Modiegi, Oreneetse Bojosi and Shareef Mpuang.