Khabo Mtimkulu’s miracle mission ends in silver at national netball championship
" I told them that this is their platform to shine, to write their names in netball history."
SEDIBENG.- Coach Khabo Mtimkulu performed miracles when she led the Sedibeng Netball U21B Team to finish second at the Spar Netball National Championships held in Cape Town from August 5-10.
Mtimkulu’s story is inspiring. She was appointed as coach of the Sedibeng U21B Team at the last minute. In an exclusive interview with Sedibeng Ster Sport, Mtimkulu revealed how she came to coach the team.
Mtimkulu told Sedibeng Ster Sport that she initially applied to coach the Sedibeng Netball Males Team, but was asked to coach the U21B Team.
I had to add other players to beef up the team.
She said the U21B Team had no coach and she was asked by the Sedibeng Netball Federation chairperson whether she was interested in coaching the team. Mtimkulu said when she took over, she found the team disjointed with fewer players.
She told Sedibeng Ster Sport she had to call other players to beef up the team.
She said time was against her to prepare the team for the national championships, and she had to perform miracles in a short space of time, but managed to bring together a strong team. She told Sedibeng Ster Sport that finishing third in the national championships will be something she proudly looks back on.
“I want to thank our chairperson for believing in me because I didn’t apply for coaching this team, but she asked me to come on board. I’m really proud of these girls because they were the youngest in the tournament competing against experienced teams.”
This is their platform to shine.
” It was their first experience with this tournament, and they showcased their talent against the best. I think next year they will be unstoppable. Look, even now, I still can’t believe that they managed to finish third in the competition, considering that we didn’t have enough time to prepare. I told them that this is their platform to shine, to write their names in netball history, and they didn’t disappoint me,” said Mtimkulu.
Mtimkulu started as a player coached by former SuperSport United hardman Peter ‘Fire’ Khoabane.
Mtimkulu spoke highly of him and thanked him for the person, especially the coach, she has become.
