Decision pending on Mabote�s future
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday September 16, 2016 14:24
Mabote has been making the headlines for the wrong reasons after he was accused of misconduct, the most recent being at the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville last year where the player was allegedly drunk in camp. The player was then dropped for the African Union Sports Commission (AUSC) games in Namibia last December despite impressive performances.
“As long as he does not change his attitude I do not think he would be regarded for future national team call ups. He has been warned and punished before. The player should take responsibility for his actions and we also need to set an example for younger players,” a source close to the developments said.
Botswana Table Tennis Association competitions secretary, Kudzanani Motswagole said the executive committee would meet in the next week to resolve the issue. “The committee (executive) would meet next week to hold a meeting to solve the issue. I personally have called the two parties (Mabote and the coaches) in an attempt to solve the matter. I would say both parties were wrong in their own capacity, but as of now we did not take any action,” Motswagole said.
Mabote denied allegations of misconduct and slammed national team coaches for discrediting him in the media. “I believe they (coaches) have a problem with someone who is vocal. The moment you say aloud your concerns you are termed big headed. I have tried to seek clarity from my coaches but no one has given me a satisfactory answer,” he said. When asked if he would consider national team call ups in future Mabote said he is yet to decide.
“I was left disappointed by the reports, if one had a problem with me they would have called me. I really wanted to quit but a lot of people advised me not to. Maybe or maybe not, I am yet to decide,” he said.
Mabote who has been the nation’s number one for a long time was dropped in 2013 from the national team as a result inof misconduct. “I think some people are just using my past to get rid of me. The association itself is disgruntled. I believe it is a one man show,” the Smash Maniacs player continued.
One of the national team coaches, Tshepo Modisane said the technical team would still consider Mabote as long he is eligible for camp. “Our duties are to coach and instil discipline to some extent. We have made reports before (after national team camps) but the buck stops with committee. We would call any player as long as they are good enough,” he said.