Netball: Molokwane tips UNF on staying afloat amid COVID

Aug 05, 2020

Ever since March a lot of sports activity has been on halt

Africa Netball president Cecilia Molokwane admitted she feels disheartened that her first year in office has been dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appearing on the Urban TV show Sports Woman on Thursday, the president spoke about the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the sport and in her life.

"COVID-19 robbed me and my executive of the feeling of being in an executive role. After our initial meeting in South Africa in which we had planned our things unfortunately COVID-19 hit us and we could not do anything after," she stated.

Everything has been at a standstill since March when Molokwane tested positive for the virus and thankfully recovered.

"I was one of the first people to contract the virus and as a public figure, I was among the first people to come out and say I have contracted COVID-19. It didn't go down well with a lot of people I was criticized, some said I wanted to kill people, I was called a murderer but that didn't bother me because I was taking responsibility and saving lives," Molokwane said.

Ever since March a lot of sports activity has been on halt. The U21 Netball Youth Cup Qualifiers Africa in Kampala could not go ahead. The Africa Netball Cup was supposed to go to Namibia but they couldn't have that because of the pandemic which has affected Molokwane and her executive.

Even with the current situation, she has urged the Uganda Netball Federation to do all it takes to ensure jobs are not lost.

"I would advise the Ugandan Netball Association to go to their ministers. If they can't help, go to the President and if he doesn't listen go to citizens and find sponsors. All they (sponsors) need is mileage they want to be on TV they want to be on clothing and to be given value for money," she explained.

She continues to insist that regardless of the pandemic, now is the time to capacitate women and men in netball.

"For those that want to do umpiring courses we can capacitate them theoretically online but when the pandemic is over we can do the practical bit," she said.

She believes the pandemic has taught people a lot of lessons including the need for planning ahead. Her advice is to make the sport fun for more girls to pick up.

"Let's be innovative let's have netball be a fun game. I always say if any sport is not fun, I advise that you don't take it up. Let us have netball be that sport that any young girl in the rural areas of Uganda and in the townships in South Africa can take up," Molokwane emphasised.

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