Local umpire picked for World Junior Championships

Calistus Kolantsho | Friday October 18, 2013 16:21

Emmanuel Kgaboetsile (32) told Mmegi Sport from Orapa that being selected to officiate at the world event is a big achievement. He explained that he went for assessment in Japan last year in the company of another umpire from Kenya and he passed while his counterpart failed. 

He is now an accredited umpire of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), one of five in Africa.Kgaboetsile said the BWF chose him to officiate at the games and they will sponsor his trip to the world championships, adding that he will also be an umpire during the Commonwealth Games in Scotland next year.

Kgaboetsile leaves for Thailand on Sunday and he will be back in the country on November 5.  'My hardwork has paid off. I have been waiting for this moment for years.I have never given up on my dream.  I always assist other local umpires during tournaments that are organised by the Botswana Badminton Association (BBA), as a way of trying to improve their understanding of the game,' he said.Kgaboetsile said since he is a BWF umpire, he will be officiating in all major tournaments of the federation.