Cricket team targets World Cup after SA success

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday October 12, 2012 00:00

 

Botswana emerged first out of eight countries that participated in the ICC-ACA T20 Division Two Tournament held in Benoni, South Africa. National team coach, Arjun Menon said that their motivation at the moment is to qualify for the World Cup.

'I know this is asking a lot from a small cricketing nation, but with enough preparation it is possible,' he said. Menon said his team has an advantage in terms of age, as the youngest player is 16, whilst the oldest is 30 years old. 'We also have strong batsmen and bowlers who are able to sustain pressure,' he said.Team captain, Karabo Modise who was man of the tournament said with more games against high calibre countries, they could reach the World Cup. He, however, said it was not going to be easy as most countries in their division had professional cricketers.

'We are only able to train in the evenings and this puts us on a disadvantage,' he said. In order for Botswana to qualify for the World Cup they are required to play five other countries  Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda and Tanzania - early next year. The top two teams qualify.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has also increased the number of teams in the biennial championships from 12 to 16 for the 2014 edition.Meanwhile, the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) has pledged their support to the BCA.

Speaking at the teams welcoming ceremony on Wednesday, BNSC treasurer Boitshoko Tsiane said they would support the BCA financially so they realise their dream of reaching the 2014 World Cup. He said achievements such as that of the national team came with costs, but promised that wherever needed the BNSC, would assist. For his part, BNSC sports development manager, Bobby Gaseitsiwe applauded BCA for the seminal development programme.

He said the programme was now starting to bear fruit. He encouraged the current crop of national team players to assist in developing those coming after them in order for the sport to grow locally. Gaseitsiwe added that the Re Ba Bona Ha programme, which was recently introduced to cricket, should be spread to other parts of the country.'I am, however, particularly happy with the way cricket is progressing in government schools,' he said.