Zambia to debut in Independence Grand Finale
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday September 23, 2023 06:00
This event has maintained a closed competition format since its inception in 2020. However, the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) has extended an invitation to the Zambia Table Tennis Association (ZTTA) this year.
The BTTA has traditionally hosted a single international tournament, the Botswana Open, which takes place in early December. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, BTTA public relations officer, Tshegofatso Malepa explained that the invitation to ZTTA aims to strengthen relations between the two neighbouring table tennis associations. She also noted that individual players from the region have expressed interest in the competition, and the BTTA is awaiting official confirmation.
“By inviting Zambia to this year’s Independence Grand Finale, it is a deliberate move that will enhance regular competition between the two countries. In the near future, we also want to add another country as a way of exposing our athletes to more international meets with a scope of widening our chances of increasing our medal basket in the region,” Malepa said.
The ZTTA president, Mutale Ng’andu confirmed the participation of Zambian players in the competition.
“We would to thank the Botswana Table Tennis Association and the Botswana National Sports Commission for extending an invitation to the Zambia Table Tennis Association to participate in this year’s Independence Grand Finale to be played on the 30th of September. I wish to confirm that Zambia Table Tennis will send its team to the Independence celebrations,” Ng’andu affirmed.
The annual Phoenix Assurance Independence Grand Finale ranks among the BTTA’s top-tier tournaments, offering a winners’ prize of P5,000. Silver medalists will receive P2,000, semi-finalists P1,000, and quarterfinalists P700 as a reward for their performances. The tournament employs a group and knockout format, with the competition draw set to take place on the eve of the event on September 29.
Meanwhile, Tshepiso Rebatenne had a disappointing performance at the recently held ITTF-Africa Senior Championship in Tunisia. Rebatenne was defeated 4-0 in the first match of the competition, the round of 64, by Uganda’s Augustina Baidoo. Rebatenne was the sole representative from Botswana in the competition.