The event has shifted its venue from Jwaneng to Gaborone for its second edition, taking place at the Botho University Multi-Purpose Hall from Saturday to Sunday. With a total prize pool of P50,000, the winners in both the men's and women's sections will claim P6,000, while those in the Under-15 and Under-12 categories will secure P1,500.
Local players aim to capitalise on home advantage, facing strong competition from South African and Zambian participants. Bakang Maloka from Moshupa Spinners seeks to extend his victorious streak after triumphing at the Molepolole Open Table Tennis tournament in October. Despite having more than a month away from the table due to a focus on junior tournaments, Maloka is ready to compete alongside veterans like Thobo Matlhatsi from the BDF Table Tennis Club and the Smash Maniacs' duo of Boago Malobela and Masa Lesole.
However, they face tough opponents in South Africans Luke Abrahams and Chetan Nathoo. Abrahams, the recent victor at the ITTF Southern Africa Region World Qualifiers 2023, sets the stage for a compelling clash with Nathoo, the defending champion of the Phoenix Assurance Botswana International Championship.
These two competitors recently faced off in the final of the ITTF Southern Africa Region World Qualifiers. Turning to the women's section, Tshepiso Rebatenne of Nhabe Table Tennis Club, the top-ranked player, carries the nation's hopes with an outstanding season behind her. She is expected to maintain her winning streak during the upcoming weekend.
The BDF Club pair, Constance Kuswani and Game Kebodiwang looks to deliver an enhanced performance following a promising season, keeping an eye on the defending champion, Danisha Patel from South Africa. In the junior section, budding talent Reneilwe Lekorwe is anticipated to shine in the Under-11 category. Lekorwe, displaying exciting form throughout the season, secured a silver medal at the ITTF Southern Africa Hopes Championship in Namibia last week. Prize distribution in the senior category includes a P4,000 reward for silver medalists in both men's and women's categories. Semi finalists will pocket P2,000, while quarterfinalists will receive P1,000.
