Tsolo does not only run after criminals

BOIPATONG.- If you are under the impression that a policeman’s job is only to chase criminals, think again!
Motlatsi Tsolo (50) is a policeman who is passionate about netball. Sedibeng Ster Sport caught up with this outspoken personality coaching his netball club at Boipatong Stadium during the Sedibeng Netball League matches recently.

Tsolo was shouting and pacing up and down the touchline when his team played against Diphetogo Netball Club.

This energetic coach is also a former netball player himself. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Tsolo said that he started playing netball in Soweto before he relocated to the Vaal. He is a police officer in the Alberton Police Station. Tsolo said that in the past, men were not accepted as netball players, thus in around 2000 he and other ambitious male players had to fight to be recognised and participate in netball competitions on local, provincial, national and international levels.

“It was difficult for the system to accept that men can participate in official netball competitions. We had to fight to be recognised and as they say, the rest is history. Look at how many male netball players we have today compared to the past. This didn’t come on a silver platter; we had to fight for it to happen. I’m very passionate about netball and as a police officer, this is my contribution in the community. For these children not to be involved in crime we must keep them on the court, playing netball. My job as a police officer is not only to arrest people when they find themselves on the wrong side of the law, but it is also to keep them away from crime. I really enjoy coaching them and they give me the respect that I deserve. When I’m here, I transform from a police officer to a coach,” he said.

Tsolo has played for the Gauteng Central Netball Squad and the Bekezela Netball Academy.