In June, the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) will host the regional qualifiers in Gaborone. The BTTA is in a preparatory mood ahead of the tournament after shaking up the Diteemane coaching department.
Former Diteemane player and Shash Maniacs' tactician, Tshepo Modisane has been elevated to the head coach role. He replaces, BDF Table Tennis Club's Thobo Matlhatsi who has been demoted to the assistant coach duties.
Welcome Tema, who served as an assistant coach under Matlhatsi, will not be part of the technical team. Speaking to Mmegi Sport this week, the BTTA public relations officer, Tshegofatso Malepa said the association has three qualified coaches in their rooster and will rotate them in national team duties. She said each tactician is given 12 months as head of the Diteemane technical team. "We have three qualified coaches who take turns to coach the national team. Matlhatsi was previously the head coach (and) his term has elapsed.
The other coach, KK (Kealeboga Keitseng) has an administrative role for the world qualifiers. He is the secretary-general (and) he will assume a neutral role. As such, Tshepo Modisane is suitable looking at these factors and Matlhatsi coming in as his assistant," Malepa said. Modisane has over a decade been in the ping-pong circles as a player and coach.
He holds an ITTF Level 2 Coaching Licence and served as the national team assistant coach between 2014 and 2016. Modisane has enjoyed some success as Diteemane brought home a silver medal in the team events at the 2007 Zone VI Championships. He also competed at the Commonwealth Games 2014 and All Africa Games 2025. Meanwhile, eight players per gender, have secured spots in the Diteemane squad for the qualifiers tournament.
Youngster, Thapelo Molefhi has squeezed into the team alongside top-ranked Tshenolo Mooketsi, Bakang Maloka and Boago Malobela among others. Emmah Lelatisitswe is also set for a Diteemane debut as has Constance Kuswani, Tsholofelo Gaokgalemelwe and top-ranked Tshepiso Rebatenne. Smash Maniacs has been the largest contributor to the Diteemane squad with six paddlers. BTTA will host the ITTF Southern Africa Region World Championship qualifiers in June.
The full Diteemane squad Men: Tshenolo Mooketsi, Thobo Matlhatsi (both BDF), Boago Malobela, Masa Lesole, Tiro Lesomo (all Smash Maniacs), Kola Modisaotsile, Thapelo Molefhi (both True Identity), and Bakang Maloka (Moshupa Spinners). Women: Constance Kuswani, Game Kebodiwang, Tshepo Kebodiwang (all BDF), Olorato Ramagapu, Tshephang Motlhamme, Tsholofelo Gaokgalemelwe (all Smash Maniacs), and Tshepiso Rebatenne and Emmah Lelatisitswe (both Nhabe).
