The Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) announced this week the passing of Bagwasi's mother. He will return home from Namibia for the funeral arrangements. Bagwasi had left with a four-member Diteemane Under-11 squad to Namibia for the 2023 ITTF Southern Africa Hopes and Challenge Championship in Windhoek. Tshepiso Rebatenne has since been roped in as the interim coach and left this week for Namibia to join the team. "We hope this transition can help provide some relief and support to coach Bagwasi and his family as they navigate the loss. Tshepiso Rebatenne will now be responsible for overseeing the ongoing event on behalf of coach Bagwasi, ensuring its smooth operation and the success of all participating athletes," BTTA said in a statement. Former number one, Boitshwarelo Butale, who was already in Namibia, held the fort before the BTTA made the Rebatenne appointment. Butale is in Windhoek for the Gender My Strength ITTF programme. The ITTF Southern Region Hopes and Challenge tournament is held in Windhoek, Namibia from November 26 and will end this weekend. The boys' team is made up of Reneilwe Lekorwe and Tinashe Dzvaka, while Tshegofatso Buisanang and Boitlamo Nkele are in the girls' team. The junior Diteemane will be in action today as the challenge series of the weeklong tournament begins.
Meanwhile, India-based Wame Jawe recently won a bronze medal in the team event at the 2023-2024 Andhra University Inter-Collegiate Championship. Jawe showed some improvements on the table and helped her team to finish third in the competition. Jawe's exploits come after yet another India-based talent managing a podium finish. Former number one, Tshenolo Mooketsi finished second in the Top Spin Super League. The monthly tournament is organised by the elite table tennis academy in India, Top Spin Academy. The academy features three other local athletes Arthur Kgaswe, Tshireletso Samuel, and Tshephang Motlhamme.
