Rakgare applauds BTTA for successful events

22 Jul 2024

Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture has applauded the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) for successfully hosting two youth table tennis activities. 

The two events, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Hopes Training week, which was more of a talent identification competition as it catered for the development of U-12 players and the ITTF Africa Junior Championship were held in Gaborone. 

Rakgare said in an interview after the closing ceremony of the ITTF Africa Junior Championship on Sunday that the calibre of players and officials who thronged the two activities were equally satisfied by the reception and the events organisation. “What has been done is a commendable move as it is meant to develop the youth. It is important to catch them young,” he said. 

Even though the local players did not perform well in the two events, Rakgare was pleased that hosting the events and getting a reasonable number of young table tennis players to feature in the them was a memorable achievement as the players were given an opportunity to test their skills and learn from the best in the game. 

“The events were a learning curve for them. What they have acquired will in future improve their performance and bring the desired results,” he said. 

The minister said the BTTA must be applauded for their bravery and eagerness to grow the sport from a young age. “Hosting events of such magnitudes was not only focused on playing and winning, it was equally meant to grow the players by exposing them to new competition and tactics that will help them grow,” he said. 

He said efforts made by sporting codes such as table tennis to develop the young were commendable, adding that government was working on a programme to develop sport in schools.

Rakgare also said hosting the two events was in line with the country’s aspirations of turning the country into a hub for sport as well as growing sport tourism.  He also thanked sponsors saying the event was a result of their support and assisting in nurturing and growing young people into responsible citizens through the guidance of sport. 

In addition, he thanked volunteers saying their dedication and loyalty were commendable. Meanwhile, Egypt dominated the ITTF Africa Junior Championship, winning a total of 23 medals comprising of eight gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals. 

Tunisia followed in second with 10 medals being five gold, four silver and a bronze medal. 

Madagascar came third with a gold and two bronze medals, while Botswana finished seventh with bronze medal in the U-19 girls team event category made by the quartet of Tshegofatso Buisanyang, Asante Motsamai, Briannah Mogaladi and Charity Moleele. ENDS

Source : BOPA

Author : Moshe Galeragwe

Location : GABORONE

Event : Interview

Date : 22 Jul 2024