Netball World Cup LOC begins work
Work on the 2017 International Netball Federation (INF) World Youth Cup to be hosted in Botswana officially began yesterday when the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Thapelo Olopeng officially launched the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the event.
The 13-strong team is headed by veteran netball administrator Prisca Mokgadi and they are tasked with managing a large scale operation that will see Botswana hosting 20 of the world’s best netballing nations. Speaking at the launch in Gaborone on Tuesday morning, Olopeng said hosting the games of this magnitude required high calibre leadership, meticulous programme planning and implementation in all aspects of event management.
“The important responsibilities associated with event management brings us to the reason why we are gathered here today to launch the LOC,” Olopeng said. Flanked by the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) chairman Solly Reikeletseng and the Botswana Netball Association (BONA) patron Botlogile Tshireletso, Olopeng expressed confidence that they had picked some of the best men and women to establish the LOC and ensure successful delivery of the games.
“The illustrious track records and collective experiences are a source of comfort not only to my ministry but the country as a whole.” Olopeng pledged to support the LOC that has since received P15 million from government towards the international games. “When my ministry acceded to the request by BONA to bid for hosting of the games my ministry committed a budget of P15 million over three years for both the team preparation and hosting of the tournament. This is a modest contribution by Government and does not cover the total cost of the Games,” he said.
Olopeng appealed to the corporate world to step up and support the games financially. Meanwhile other members of the LOC under Mokgadi are Tebogo Kesupile (Vice chairperson), Girish Ramakrishna (Head of Finance), Tsoseletso Magang (Commercial and Sponsorship), Stephaney Stoneham (Marketing and Branding), Dr Odiseng Lesedinyana (Medical and Doping), Tebogo LebotseSebego (Communications and Protocol), Mpho Gaobakwe (Head of Legal) and Tiny Moremi (Project Management).
Speaking during the same occasion, LOC chairperson Prisca Mokgadi said her committee required a full time secretariat for the games, adding that they could not organise the games on their own as most of her committee members had full time jobs. “The second challenge is lack of resources. The government has boosted us with P10.9 million but this is less than we need,” she said.
She added that there was need for infrastructure, as the international netball governing body required two indoor facilities to host the world cup. Mokgadi explained that thus far only the indoor facility at the University of Botswana was up to scratch. “We also want training venues as we will have to host test games before the 2017 event.” She added that the infrastructure left behind would also serve as a legacy after the games are concluded.