14 Dec 2021

Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) Phoniex Assurance Regional Championship that ran from Saturday to Monday in Gaborone was successful despite the fact that it was the association’s first time to host it.

Speaking to BOPA on Monday, BTTA president, Kudzanani Motswagole said administratively, they managed to exceed their expectations, adding that since it was the inaugural event, there was a lot to learn from it in preparation for the second edition.

He said they learnt that in the second tournament, they had to come up with ways to make it a little cheaper for other countries to come and take part, as maximum participation was important in growing the game in the region.

The BTTA president said the association used the championship to gauge Team Botswana’s performance against other nations.

“It is important to always check our progress as we position ourselves to be a tennis power house,” he said.

Pertaining to Team Botswana’s performance, Motswagole highlighted that he was disappointed that they performed below the association’s expectations.

He said they had high hopes on the team since they spent more time and resources preparing for the championship.

“We will check where we went wrong and rectify,” he said.

However, Motswagole said the overall performance of regional players was impressive.

The event, he said, was used for Commonwealth Games qualifier, noting that they had hoped for at least eight national team players to qualify.

“Now only three qualified, which is far below our expectations,” he said.

Botswana senior team players, Tshepiso Rebatenne and Bakang Maloka emerged champions in their respective categories.

In a closely contested women’s final, Rebatenne thrashed Zambian, Mubanga Kunda by 4-2, winning P8 000, while the Zambian went home with P4 000.

Semifinalists, Olorato Ramagapu of Smash Maniacs and Latifah Malavwa of Zambia each won P2 000.

Quarter finalists, Janet Modiwa from Zambia, her team mate Ruth Motailoni, Namibian Reese Saunderson and Tsholofelo Gaokgalemelwe of Smash Maniacs walked away with P1 000 each.

In the senior men’s category, Bakang Maloka of Botswana thrashed his team mate Tshenolo Mooketsi 4-1, winning P8 000, while Tshenolo won P4 000.

Kennedy Katungu of Zambia and Thobo Matlhatsi of Botswana ended in the semifinals, each winning P2 000.

Quarter finalists, Charles Banda of Zambia, Mompati Chabe of BDF, Masa Lesole of Smash Maniacs and his team mate Boago Malobela, each walked away with P1 000.

In the under 19 girls’ final, Namibian Reese Saunderson beat Janet Modiwa of Zambia 4-3, while in the boys finals, Isaiah Banda of Zambia thrashed his team mate Dismas Mushimwa 4-2.

The champions walked away with P2 000 each, while silver medalists won P1 000 each. Semifinalists won P500 and quarter finalists P250 each. ENDS