24 Apr 2024

Recruiting more children in table tennis has remained the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA)’s focus in championing the values of gender empowerment, inclusivity and equal opportunities. 

As part of their recruitment exercise, BTTA celebrated the World  Table Tennis Day celebrations at Newton International School in Gaborone on Tuesday. 

Speaking at the event, the association’s public relations officer, Tshegofatso Malepa said part of the celebrations also included imparting skills to children from the school. 

“The day was not just about playing a game, it was about embracing a philosophy, recognising that every child regardless of gender, has the right to pursue their passion for sport with unwavering enthusiasm and determination,” Malepa said. 

She said they also wanted to use the event to instill in young athletes, the belief that they held the key to the future of table tennis. 

“It is our collective responsibility to nurture and support their journey, especially in a world where gender stereotypes still persist. It is crucial that we create spaces where every child feels valued and empowered to excel,” she added. 

Again, she said BTTA, through carefully curated activities such as skills clinics, exhibitions and educational sessions, aimed to break barriers and showcase that table tennis was a sport for everyone.  

Such activities, she said, also fostered a sense of belonging, respect and mutual support because it also catered for children with special needs through the paralympics category. 

Motivating the children, Yarona FM personality, Kagiso Phatsimo, alias Fox, urged them to be sport persons and excel to make names for themselves and their families.

“Sport can open up opportunities for you through avenues such as scholarships, where you get an opportunity to study at the best universities in the world,” Fox said. 

He however, cautioned them not to sacrifice their academic performance for sport, but balance the two. 

“Sport and education can go hand in hand contrary to what most people believe,” he said and urged them to make Newton International School the hub of both sporting and academic excellence. 

The school representative, Kago Kebonang appreciated BTTA’s decision to celebrate the day with them, saying the move would promote the spirit of excellence at the school. 

Kebonang said there was need for sporting codes to plant the seeds of sporting excellence in schools as they were a fertile ground for germination. 

He also appreciated BTTA for its donation of sporting equipment to the school. ENDS