{"id":17705,"date":"2022-11-28T16:55:11","date_gmt":"2022-11-28T16:55:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/botswana\/all-news\/mares-aspire-to-make-olympics-debut"},"modified":"2022-11-28T17:27:33","modified_gmt":"2022-11-28T17:27:33","slug":"mares-aspire-to-make-olympics-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/botswana\/all-news\/mares-aspire-to-make-olympics-debut","title":{"rendered":"Mares aspire to make Olympics debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Botswana. <\/strong><\/span>The men\u2019s football national Under 23 team has failed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. This now leaves the senior women national team, the Mares, as Botswana\u2019s only hope to send a football team to debut at the Olympics.<\/b><\/p>\n

Over the past decade of its evolution, the local women have shown they are capable of making the impossible possible. Without extensive investment, the ladies managed to qualify for their first ever Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).<\/p>\n

Now as Paris 2024 Olympics approach, expectations would be high for the local ladies to beat the odds. But even before the qualification starts, the Mares look to be at a disadvantage. There is uncertainty over their preparations for the upcoming Olympics. Elsewhere, some of the countries they will potentially face on the road to Paris 2024 Olympics are preparing.<\/p>\n

Since the Total Energies Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) ended in July, The Mares have so far played COSAFA games and the Independence game against Namibia. From then on, nothing much has been said of the team. No plans or resources have been availed.<\/p>\n

Addressing this matter, Botswana Football Association (BFA), Technical Director (TD) Tshepo Mphukuthi says the association is still yet to get answers on how best to prepare the team. He says they are praying for resources to be availed as a lot needs to be done if \u2018The mares\u2019 are to really make a mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a plan in place but we do not have resources available at our disposal. So, we only have to use what we have at this very moment,\u201d the BFA TD says. \u201cThe Olympics are not an event but a process which requires a lot of preparation to qualify for. As long as resources are limited, we will do the best we can, under the circumstances, to reach the destination,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

Mphukuthi says if the country\u2019s dream of having a football team at the Olympics is to be met, both financial and human resources are a necessity. He says finances are needed to put the team together and also play friendly games across the continent.<\/p>\n

Additionally, experts in different fields of the game are also required however they do not come cheap as well. \u201cPsychologist, kinetic sports therapy, physiotherapy, performance analysts, video Analyst etc; these are the people we need when we put the team together. And they need money as well,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Commenting on the matter, local football analyst Jimmy George says the country needs to do better. \u201cYou fail to plan, you plan to fail. This time around the team could have at least played two or three games to keep their momentum going. If finances are the core issue and they seem not to add up, BFA could still ensure they bring the team together and camp while playing with local teams. This way they have the chance to make proper selection of the team while waiting to advance preparation for the Olympic qualifiers,\u201d George notes.<\/p>\n

He further states that the ladies football team has proven that they are able and capable of growth and achieving greatness. Additionally pointing out that, it would still be fine if the National Men\u2019s Senior team and all junior teams finances are decreased in order to assist the team with a chance of qualifying the opportunity it requires.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Botswana<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Botswana. The men\u2019s football national Under 23 team has failed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. This now leaves the senior women national team, the Mares, as Botswana\u2019s only hope to send a football team to debut at the Olympics. Over the past decade of its evolution, the local women have shown […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":17704,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,17],"tags":[233,237,234],"class_list":["post-17705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-sport","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-botswana","tag-botswana"],"yoast_head":"\nMares aspire to make Olympics debut - Botswana<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The men\u2019s football national Under 23 team has failed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. 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