Mooketsi left for India this week after he was awarded a scholarship through the Indian High Commission and the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA). ‘Phablo’ will pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering at Gujarat Technology University. The former number-one-ranked player will also play professional table tennis.
He is the 10th local player to receive the scholarship offered by the Indian High Commission but he is to play at a level higher than his compatriots. The recipients of the scholarship have been playing the sport at university and state championships level. BTTA’s public relations officer, Tshegofatso Malepa told Mmegi Sport that Mooketsi will align with one of the world’s biggest sporting brands, Stag International.
“He is going to be playing professional table tennis.
(The) team we are anticipating will be Stag International but we will confirm once he has settled,” Malepa said. Mooketsi could become one of the highest-earning sports persons in the country. The prize money for the male category in the Indian table tennis national championships is around Rs 2.75 lakh (approximately P44,960) per tournament.
The average prize money locally is P5,000 and Mooketsi could earn almost 10 times more during his time in India. “I am happy that I am leaving today. When I come I will bringing a lot of change and also personal growth.
There is school and also table tennis development. So I would come back as much improved player. I will target to win the regionals and from there will be going for the internationals,” Mooketsi said on Wednesday.
Mooketsi has been one of the dominant players in the local table tennis in the last half a decade. He was part of the Diteemane squad that finished third in team events at the recently held ITTF Southern Africa Region World Qualifiers 2023 in Gaborone. He was knocked out in the round of 16.
