28 Jan 2014

Table tennis national team stars, Joseph Kgatlampane and Tshepiso Rebatenne put up outstanding performance over the weekend, winning three medals each in the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) Open 2014 tournament.

The January 25 tournament, which was held at Babusi hall in Gaborone, attracted 90 participants from all over the country. Both Kgatlampane and Rebatenne dominated in all three categories.

Kgatlampane from Smash Manias walked over Tiro Leshomo in a 4-0 whitewash to take the men’s singles.. He went on to win the men’s doubles with Thobo Matlhatsi by beating Oabona Raditloko and Namibo Mbulawa 3-2.

In the women’s singles, Tshepiso Rebatenne of BDF defeated Boitshwarelo BIzo Butale 4-2 to clinch the first prize. Rebatenne also showcased her amazing form when she worked together with Butale to win the women’s doubles category. 

Rebatenne and Kgatlampane continued their dominance when they combined in the mixed doubles and ensured their third medal of the tournament. In the under 18 boys category, Peo Thebe of Moshupa Senior Secondary School beat his fellow teammate Kebabonye Lute 3-1, while Olorato Ramagapu won the girls category after thrashing Ludo Ishmael of Dukwi JSS.

Public relations officer of BTTA, Lelentle Mokhuphuki said the tournament was great motivation for the players and it was used as a preparation pad for the upcoming Gaborone 2014 Commonwealth Youth Games, and also zone 6 competitions in Lusaka, Zambia. 

“It was a ranking tournament used to help scale the players,” she said. BTTA Open tournament was the first of its kind and it did not have any sponsors. Smash Maniacs will host the next tournament which will held in Gaborone at the end of February. ENDS