By Botswana Daily News
The national volleyball team is just one step away from qualifying for the 2014 world cup in Poland. The team just has to overcome their opponents in the final stage of the world cup qualifiers in Molepolole on October 8-12.
The local boys will face Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the qualifiers, from which two teams from the southern zone will be joined by another team from the northern zone to make a total of three teams from Africa to participate in the tournament.
When addressing the media at a press conference in Gaborone on October 3, Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) President Daniel Molaodi said team Botswana qualified in Mozambique at the sub zonal competitions. He said the ladies’ team has also qualified for the final stage of the qualifiers which will be held in Zambia in November.
At the women’s qualifiers, hosts Zambia will lock horns with Swaziland, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe to select one team that will be joined by another one from the northern zone to compete in the world cup in Italy in 2014. Molaodi said all the facilities to be used during the tournament are in place, and Molepolole IHS hall will be the main venue for the competitions.
“Teams will arrive on October 7 when a technical meeting will be held to discuss game schedules and accreditation rules,” he said. He added that the national team has not been in camp to prepare for the qualifiers as the players have been engaged in the Mascom volleyball league and the BMW Capital Motors tournament with their respective teams.
Molaodi revealed that 16 players are currently in camp and the number will later be trimmed to the final 12. He added that they expect tough competition because this will be the final stage of the qualifiers.
He revealed that Botswana was given an opportunity to host the qualifiers because the country has optimal facilities that meet the required standards. He added that preparations for the ladies team will commence on October 7 ahead of the November meet. -Botswana Daily News
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