03 Dec 2015

The Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) held an U-20 open champion to identify potential national team players and rank junior players. 

This was revealed by the association’s acting publicity officer for the two-day tournament held at Serowe College of Education over the weekend. 

Zacharia Seabo said the tournament, dubbed BTTA/BISA Under 20 Open Championships, was held to afford junior players an opportunity to play outside BISA meet. 

He said normally BTTA combines the junior and seniors in their tournaments, but saw it fit to host a specific meet in which the juniors could showcase their talent. 

Seabo said his association was committed to producing competitive players who could compete and win at any international competition hence their decision to make registration free. 

The spokesperson said they were delighted by the technique the youngsters displayed, and said he was confident that they have a pool of good young players. 

Seabo said they were also impressed by the turnout as they registered 58 boys and 48 girls for the weekend affair. 

On why table tennis will not be part of the Botswana Games billed for Francistown, the competition manager, Kudzanani Motswagole said their regional body, Zone VI was not yet affiliated to the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCZA).  The council is now known as Africa Union Sports, while Zone VI is called AUSC Region 5.

 He said this was a concern to them as it affects the junior players who do not compete in Zone VI competitions.

 “For any code to excel they should have strong junior structures. That is why we have come up with other plans to ensure that our juniors are given enough exposure while awaiting affiliation.”

Motswagole said they have a four-year plan that would help equip their junior players in preparation for the 2019 Africa Games. 

He said the four-year plan would help them to be on the medal bracket in continental competitions. 

Regarding the absence of table tennis at primary schools, the manager said they have applied for Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association (BOPSSA) membership, and said such would kick-start the code at primary schools. 

He said they intend to host training courses for teachers to be qualified coaches. Ends