BTTA Independence tourney showing growth
The annual Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) Independence tournament has seen growth over the years and this year there has been some visible changes.
Speaking in an interview this week Botswana Table Tennis Assistant Public Relations Officer Tshego Malepa said they have reduced incentives to life cover policies that can benefit the athletes in future.
“We wanted meaningful life cover policies that cover athletes on and off the field, these policies are life changing and are worth much more.”
The policies are worth P100k and were awarded to positions 1 and 2 at the recent Independence tournament in senior categories as well as the top 8 in the Under-12 category. She added that they are looking to establish a working relationship with Botswana Television to get the tournament televised every year and they have covered a lot of ground so far. “This will lure sponsors to our athletes and the association so we need to work on getting most of our tournaments televised to get that recognition.” However, there was plenty of action as mixed doubles category returned to the scene for the first time since the outbreak of Covid 19. Thobo Matlhatsi and Game Kebodiwang of BDF Table Tennis walked away with P1000. Meanwhile in the Under-12 Boys category Reneilwe Lekorwe of Smash Maniacs defended his championship against the No. 2 ranked Magosi Tshipo of Nhabe Table Tennis club. Noor Said lost to Yu Lan who was crowned champion in the girls Under-12 category. In the senior men singles Tshenolo Mooketsi defeated his team mate and coach Thobo Matlhatsi 3-0 to maintain his No 1 ranking. He walked away with P5000 plus student life cover and a gold medal while Thobo only got P2000 plus student life cover policy and a silver medal. Senior women singles’ category saw Game Kebodiwang lose 3-0 against Tshephiso Rebatenne of Nhabe. It seemed an easy game for Rebatenne who walked away with P5000 plus student cover and a gold medal. Game got P2000 and student life cover and a silver medal.