30 Nov 2020

Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) hosted National Open tournament in Gaborone on Saturday, attracting 60 players from different teams and individuals.

The tournament was made up of two categories, men and women singles.

In an effort to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, the tournament was played without spectators and the athletes were only allowed into the playing hall when it was their time to play and had to move out after the game.

In an interview after the tournament, BTTA competitions director, Ritah Sebele indicated that  Phoenix Assurance Group Botswana sponsored the event with prize money to the tune of P10 000, adding that Stag International provided equipment that included competition tables, court surrounds, balls as well as nets.

Ritah said through Phoenix Assurance all players were insured in case of injuries.

“Their medical bills will be paid by the insurer,” she added.

She highlighted that the tournament went well as per their expectations. However, she said their only challenge was hosting the tournament without supporters, whom according to her, were very much part of the game.

On the men’s category, Bakang Maloka of Moshupa Spinners became victorious after beating Tshenolo Mooketsi of BDF, 3-0, walking away with the champion prize of P2 000 while Mooketsi won P1 000.

The semifinalists were William Olyn of Smash Maniacs and teammate Boago Malobela, who walked away with P600 each while quarter finalists won P200 each.

Bakang said in an interview that he was happy to have won against Tshenolo, whom he lost against in a number of tournaments during quarter finals.

He noted that physical training was important in preparation for tournaments in order to be able to play a lot of games.

In addition, Bakang said that to be successful one had to be disciplined and should train hard.

In the Women’s category, Tshepiso Rebatenne of Nhabe Table Tennis Club, who was recently crowned Phoenix Assurance Independence Grand Finale tournament 2020 champion, won 3-1 against Olorato Ramagapu of Smash Maniacs.

Rebatenne walked away with a champion prize of P2 000 while Ramagapu got P1 000. Semifinalists, Boitshwarelo Butale of Smash Maniacs and Oratile Kedisaletse of Nhabe Table Tennis Club got P600 each while the quarter finalists won P200 each.

Tshepiso expressed delight over the crown, saying she won two different tournaments this year in a space of two months.

This, she said, would boost her confidence since she was starting to doubt herself.

In terms of her preparations for games, she noted that it entailed physical and psychological training, adding that she also used past games to prepare.

“I review previous games and see where I went wrong and work on that,” she added.

Regarding young players, she said most of them should work on their confidence, adding that they should train more and develop more passion for the game. ENDS