Table Tennis thrives despite school sports absence
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday July 28, 2023 11:57
The Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) will host the Phoenix Assurance Junior and Hopes Contender at the Baobab Multi-Purpose Hall.
The tournament is used to select the Diteemane Under-15 team to compete at the Southern Africa Hopes and Junior Championship to be held in Windhoek, Namibia in September.
The BTTA anticipates a high number of entries despite the absence of school sporting activities. In the past, the juniors had clubs and school teams entries but the absence of school sports has done little to harm the development of ping-pong in the country. Speaking to Mmegi Sport this week, BTTA public relations officer, Tshegofatso Malaya said the BTTA could have recorded a higher number of entries for a juniors tournament as the association benefits from the Re Ba Bona Ha Table Tennis Centres.
“We normally register more than 50 (players) but that is players from the Gaborone region only. But this time around other children from other centres are coming so we expect the number to be more,” Malepa said. The Phoenix Assurance Junior and Hopes Contender serves as the highest level of competition for junior paddlers in the country.
“It serves as a platform for emerging athletes to display their skills, determination, and passion while also providing opportunities for growth and progression in their respective game of play,” the BTTA said in a statement.
School sports have been halted since 2018 and the move has negatively impacted the development of several sporting codes in the country. The Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare has stated that sport activities at school are nearing a return.