BTTA selects interim senior national team

The Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) convened a pivotal senior National team selection event at Bontleng’s Babusi Hall in Gaborone this past weekend. The selection tournament aimed to identify the top three players in both the men and women’s categories.Star players and national team regulars, Bakang Maloka of Moshupa Spinners TTC and Tshepiso Rebatenne of Nhabe TTC secured positions on the national team by virtue of ranking first in the previous season in the men and women’s categories, respectively. Their inclusion was expected, given their stellar performances throughout the 2023 season. In line with a recent BTTA press release, Olorato Ramagapu, an independent athlete (effective this transfer window), managed to retain her place on the women’s national team. Joining her are Tsholofelo Gaokgalemelwe of Smash Maniacs TTC and Emmah Lelatisitswe of Nhabe TTC. On the men’s side, William Olyn of Smash

Maniacs TTC, Mompati Chabe of BDF TTC, and Masa Lesole of Smash Maniacs TTC secured spots on the interim national team, with Lesole retaining his position.

The BTTA clarified that this interim national team is subject to a final selection scheduled for June 8, 2024, in Gaborone.

This final selection will also consider international-based athletes vying for a place in the ultimate National team, which will represent Botswana in Angola for the ITTF Southern Africa Region World Qualifiers 2024. In other news, the selection of the junior Diteemane national team for the U15 and U19 categories is slated for February 17, 2024.