Botswana Guardian

Focused on beating the world

After winning the Independen­ce Grand Slam Tournament over the long weekend, Table Tennis Champ, Constance Kuswani, has her sight set on bigger achievemen­ts.

- Naledi Lemogang

Constance Kuswani, the second- ranked table tennis player in Botswana, has her sights set on becoming the best in the country and beyond. After winning the Independen­ce Grand Slam Tournament, she said that the victory has given her the motivation and courage to continue striving.

The Botswana Table Tennis Associatio­n’s annual Independen­ce Grand Finale Tournament was held on September 30th and brought together talented players from Botswana, Lesotho, and Zambia. The event also featured a range of young players from developmen­t centers around the country, including Re ba bona ha Mabeleapod­i, Maikano and Bontleng centers.

The tournament showcased the immense skill and dedication of the participan­ts.

According to Kuswani, tournament­s like the Independen­ce Grand Finale are critical to her developmen­t as a player. She cited the Septem

Engaging ber event as one of her best performanc­es to date, saying that her aggressive style of play gave her opponents a run for their money. Kuswani explained that she makes sure she controls the

Internatio­nal pace of the game and impose her style on her opponents, rather than playing to their strengths. This approach allows her to dictate the terms of the match and ultimately come out on top.

“I consider myself to be an all- around player. I can play offensivel­y or defensivel­y, depending on Kuswani credits table tennis with having a posithe situation. I am able to adapt my style to suit tive impact on her life, both on and off the court. my opponent, and that is a big part of my success. It has instilled in her a sense of discipline and In this tournament, I played against five differresp­onsibility, and taught her to accept both wins ent players, and the match against Boitshware­lo and losses with grace.

Butale was especially meaningful to me. She had She believes that the sport has helped her lead always been a tough opponent for me, and this a healthier lifestyle and even provided her with was the first time I had ever beaten her. It was a financial security when she was not working. real breakthrou­gh moment, “She said. She sees table tennis as more than just a game - it

Kuswani explained that she and her coach spent has given her purpose and motivation, as well the months leading up to the tournament carefully as a source of income when she is not employed planning and preparing. First, they focused on her elsewhere. physical condition. She had gained some weight, “I would love to have a sponsor to help me and her coach knew that losing this extra weight promote my table tennis career. This would be would improve her speed and agility on the court. a huge motivator for me, and I know it would

They also worked on her accuracy and consisposi­tively impact my performanc­e. tency, as well as her overall game plan. Finally, they I’d love to see our associatio­n organizing an put all of this training into practice by simulating annual tour across Botswana, visiting cities and matches with different opponents and coming up towns to promote the sport and encourage former with strategies for each one. By the time she arplayers to return to the game. I believe that table

DISTRIBUTO­R/ AGENT

rived at the tournament, she was in top physical tennis can be more than just a hobby - it can be condition and had a well- thought- out strategy for a real career, and I hope that young people will

DISTRIBUTO­R/ AGENT

every possible opponent. approach it with the dedication and respect it

“The group stage of the tournament was not deserves,” Kuswani mentioned. Although table too challengin­g, Cbet, as publishers I only had of to Botswana play one Guardian match and tennis The is Midweek her passion, Sun Kuswani also has a strong against an newspapers under- 15 player. invites I suitable won that candiates match to apply academic for the background, position of having a earned an honors

Distributo­r / Agent in ( 1) Tsabong

3- 0, and then I received a bye to Cbet, the last 16. In Botswana degree in Guardian Health Informatio­n The Midweek Management. Sun the last 16, I played Mobile Namibo Friendly Mbulawa and beat

( 2) Ghantsi

She is currently job- hunting, and would be her 3- 1. In the quarterfin­als, I played Tsholofelo thrilled to join an organizati­on that is interested in Gaokgaleme­lwe Duties: and won 3- 0.

using her table tennis skills as a way to boost their In the semifinals, To receive I was matched newspapers up against from the my couriers profile and and distribute expand to their outlets presence in in the market. own teammate, Salome the above Matlhatsi, and surroundin­g Duties: and was able areas. to

She encourages any organizati­ons that might be

Service existing customers and must be able to open new outlets.

beat her 3- 1 to advance to the final,” she stated.

Fast interested in working with her to reach out to her.

 ?? ?? STAR POWER... Table tennis sensation Constance Kuswani.
STAR POWER... Table tennis sensation Constance Kuswani.

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