TURNING THE TABLES
Ping pong battle lines drawn for weekend tourney
Local table tennis stars will return to action this Saturday for the Phoenix Top 16 Invitational Tournament at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN).
This would be the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) first action since February.
Voice Sport caught up with some of the players competing this weekend.
Tshenolo Mooketsi, 23, who plies his trade at BDF Table Tennis Club, said he did not start the year on a good footing and is looking to put on an impressive show to win silveware.
Mooketsi told Voice Sport that he was worried that his recent poor showing has seen him falling down the ranks. He’s currently ranked sixth falling down five places from the number one spot he held just two years go.
“I never stopped training even though sport was suspended. I’ve been preparing myself physically and mentally just to boost my chances of winning the games and get back to my glory days,” said a charged up Mooketsi.
Olorato Ramagapu of Smash Maniacs Table Tennis Club also has her sights on the championship. The 25-year-old told Voice Sport that winning this tournament would do her confidence a lot of good.
“We haven’t played in a while, so toppling my toughest opponent in Tshepiso Rebatenne would be a bonus for me,” added Ramagapu.
However, Sean Dekop, 19, of Nhabe Table Tennis Club, said school work has been a major hindrance in his training.
“I haven’t had much time to prepare for the tourney as I have been stuck with school work commitments. I’m currently resitting my Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE),” he said.
According to Bakang Maloka, 24, of Moshupa Spinners Table Tennis Club, who is ranked first, a triumph on Saturday would be a good way to return to action and further re-establish his dominance.
“My aim is to stay at the top, but I know that I’m going to face stiff competition,” said a wary Maloka.