The team emerged from a fiercely-contested national selection tournament organised by Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) held at Babusi Hall last Saturday
GAZETTE REPORTER
Botswana has unveiled its national table tennis team for the 2024 AUSC Region 5 Games that is set to take place in Namibia next year.
The team emerged from a fiercely contested national selection tournament organised by Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) that was held at Babusi Hall last Saturday.
The tournament featured 24 players in the boys’ and girls’ Under 18 categories, representing six teams, among them Joyland, Mabeleapodi RBBH, and Bontleng/Ithuteng BTTA Project. The event sought to identify the nation’s top talent for the regional competition.
Girls shine bright
In the girls’ competition, Carol David of Bontleng/Ithuteng BTTA Project secured her maiden call-up to the national team after clinching first place.
She delivered commanding performances, winning her final-round matches 3-2, 3-2 and 3-0 to accumulate six points.
Gabriella Tsiaka of Maikano Junior Secondary School, a second-time national team member, finished as runner-up with five points, bolstered by two match victories and a default win.
Tshegofatso Buisanang and Asante Motsamai finished in third and fourth places, respectively, in a field that highlighted Botswana’s growing talent in table tennis.
Boys battle for supremacy
The boys’ category witnessed intense competition, with a three-way tie at five points between Thato Kgongwana (Bontleng), Lefa Tsiaka (Maikano), and Gofaone Dzvaka (Bontleng/Ithuteng).
A tiebreaker determined the final standings, with Kgongwana and Tsiaka claiming the top two spots and earning their places on the national team.
Team Roster for Namibia
Girls: Boitlamo Nkele (qualified by ranking), Carol David, Gabriella Tsiaka.
Boys: Reneilwe Lekorwe (qualified by ranking), Thato Kgongwana, Lefa Tsiaka.
Team Manager: Sedireng Tapa.
Coach: Yet to be announced.
Upcoming events
BTTA’s busy schedule continues in December with the Commonwealth Youth U-13 Championships, the Regional U-15 tournament, and the Phoenix Assurance Botswana International Open, all at Botho University.
These events promise to cap an exciting year for Botswana’s table tennis enthusiasts.