Volleyball silly season takes off
Two of the biggest and most formidable volleyball teams in the domestic league Kutlwano and Kalavango, have offloaded the most number of players during the current 2017 Transfer window. Kutlwano, who are also Capital Motors Volleyball Cup defending champions, have parted ways with four players from the male side and one from the women’s side. A transfer window sheet from Botswana Volleyball Federation shows that Lebogang Mogote, Tirayaone Otimile, Bakang Mokoti, Emmanuel Moala and Boingotlo Ramososwane are no longer Kutlwano players.
Meanwhile three women and two men from Kalavango being Leungo Keipegetse, Keituletse Mpako, Refilwe Ncube, Patrick Tlale and Tshepaone Orapeleng have also left their popular team. According to Secretary General of Kutlwano Club, popularly known as the ‘Big House’ - Shadrack Kapeko, they decided to release some of their players who wanted out to allow them to seek better opportunities to grow in the game.
Kapeko said even though they have lost several players, they will continue as a team. “We have many more talented players within the team and there is high competition amongst our players which means some of them are not getting enough game time,” Kapeko said this week.
“It is actually good for the players because they will be able to showcase their talents elsewhere and enhance their performances because it is only through play that an athlete improves for the better without being overshadowed by some of the prominent players in the club,” he said.
Moreover, league new comers Yaros Olympic Club from Maun managed to sign six new players to their team including five women and male player from Kalavango Club.
“We are a new team that was formed in 2015 but due to technical issues we delayed to start operating, the Capital Motors Cup this weekend will be our very first competition,” said the club coach Mmoloki Gaobone. Quizzed on how he managed to bring onboard players from seasoned teams such as Kalavango and Spiking Stars, Gaobone said that most of the players are his former athletes whom he groomed during their school days. The coach expressed confidence in his new signings, adding that he is familiar with their strengths and weaknesses.
Gaobone said this is something that will enable him to work at ease with the players and possibly realise his dream of turning them into stars.
“I will be firing on all cylinders and I am confident that I will challenge all other big teams we shall face in the ladies’ section.” Yaros Club is in Pool B with Kutlwano, Kalavango, Selibe Phikwe and Spiking Stars. On the male side Yaros are up against Diphatsa and Police VI in Pool A. The Capital Motors tournament begins this weekend at Lobatse and Molepolole Sports Complex.
