TABLE TENNIS WOMENS’ TEAM BLOCKED
…as the men’s team suffers elimination
By MICHAEL MIYOBA THE Zambia Table tennis women’s team did not take part in the African Union Sports Confederations AUSC Region 5 Table Tennis Confederation championships tournament after they were denied entry into Botwana.
Zambia Table Tennis Associations’ (ZTTA) interim president Wisdom Kaunda confirmed the development to Daily Nation Sports in Lusaka
Kaunda said the team comprising of girls below the age of 18 was not allowed entry into Botswana because their parents failed to provide affidavits in support of their ages.
“Our women’s team comprises of girls who are under 18 years and Immigration laws in Botswana demand for birth records but parents could not provide affidavits and letters of consent by parents were rejected; so the ladies team could not be allowed entry into Botswana despite the organizing committee pleading with immigrations officers,” said Kaunda.
Meanwhile Zambia Table Tennis men’s team has been eliminated from the African Union Sports Confederations AUSC Region 5 Table Tennis Confederation championships being held in that country.
Zambia who was represented by Kennedy Katungu and Choolwe Hamalambo in the double category recorded a 3-0 defeat to Angola in their first game at the tournament.
The dual however made up for their poor start at the tournament and went on to beat Botswana 2-0 respectively in the single’s category.
Katungu and Hamalambo however failed to progress to the third round of the singles’ category after losing their second round fixtures.
Guided by Coaches Boyd Kabinda and Humphrey Kapula, Katungu recording a 3-1 defeat while Hamalambo suffered a 2-0 defeat to South Africa and ended their hopes of scooping any medals at the tournament.