Diteemane target glory at AUSC Games
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday July 2, 2022 06:00
The team's coach, Thobo Matlhatsi is aiming for the country's highest finish at the regional games and said his team is going for the ultimate prize.
Matlhatsi is in his second reign as the head coach and together with his assistant, Boykie Selerio led a team that won two medals in the singles events in the 2021 edition of the tournament.
Team went on to miss out on the winners' medal to South Africa in a tournament held in Gaborone. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, the 37-year-old tactician is oozing with confidence as he said this time, he has prepared the team under far much better conditions and said they would be going for the ultimate prize. "Looking at the competition, we will be facing the countries that we know very well so our only target is to aim high for the medals. For the team events both male and female, we want to at least get anything higher than a bronze medal.
If we could finish the team events at the top, this will give us confidence (in individual events). In short, we want gold. The players are ready for that looking at how we have been preparing and how the players believe they are ready for the challenge," Matlhatsi said. He further acknowledged the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) for introducing the Super League this season.
The tournament was contested by the top eight ranked players in both the men's and women's disciplines. The majority of the players who took part in the top eight make up the national team setup. "We did not have much disturbance in our camp, so we are fully focused on the tournament. We have long known about the tournament, so there has been a good response from the technical support from BTTA. We have everything from the equipment and all.
The association also introduced the Super League, so our players have kept fit for a long period now.
I am very happy with our match fitness. In terms of preparations, I would say I am satisfied. We are very positive; we are ready tactically and technically. We are ready to compete," Matlhatsi said. Kola Modisaotsile will captain the men's team that comprises Tshenolo Mooketsi, Tirelo Tshipinare, Thapelo Molefi, and Bakang Maloka.
The women's team is led by Game Kebodiwang and includes the top-ranked, Tshepiso Rebatenne, Constance Kuswani, Olorato Ramagapu, and Tsholofelo Gaokgalemelwe. The team left for South Africa on Wednesday and will be in action today in the team's events. Diteemane return home on Sunday.