Table tennis Re Ba Bona Ha expands to Maun
Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday June 4, 2025 09:53
The first programme was launched at Patikwane Junior School which is between Mabeleapodi and Paje in 2022. On Saturday, the BNSC saw the expansion of the programme to Maun with at least 50 athletes between the ages of five and 12 enrolled, and more are expected to join. Delta Walters International School principal, Pearce Khoza said the development is key to nurturing talent and the school is honoured to be the first to host the grassroots programme centre in Maun. '(We are) committed to developing well rounded individuals ready to thrive both academically and in extra curricula pursuits. We are honoured to host the BTTA today and look forward to building a strong partnership that promotes not only academic success but also the values of sportsmanship, discipline and holistic leaner development,' Khoza said.
'We express our deepest gratitude to the Botswana Table Tennis Association for choosing our school as the host and partner. The confidence in our ability to nurture, manage and support young talent is truly humbling,' he added. The Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) president, Kudzanani Motswagole said they are elated that Delta Waters will be the centre for table tennis talent development. 'We as the BTTA will monitor the programme. Coaches will be hired and paid allowances by the BNSC. After these players are developed, we have monthly tournaments, these tournaments have prize money, which contributes positively to the lives of our athletes,' Motswagole said. He said the launch extends table tennis' footprint to Maun and the surrounding areas. 'For us to be here, it is to extend an arm to the people of Maun to be part of people who contribute to the national medal basket for Botswana in terms of bringing in medals. I must admit that we are not doing well at the moment in terms of bringing international medals. These are efforts that will at least improve our image,' Motswagole said.
The BNSC sport development manager-technical, Fredrick Kebadiretse said the project is about giving opportunities to young players. 'It is an opportunity to try out a sport of their choice so that going forward they can have a dual career pathway. Formal employment is no longer guaranteed. The scale has changed hence it is important to create a dual career pathway from a young age. Sport is one industry where one can make a living from,' Kebadiretse said. Also on Saturday, the BTTA also hosted the Maun Open tournament, which featured BDF, Nhabe Tennis Club, Dithubaruba, Smash Maniacs, Bontleng/Ithuteng and Delta Waters.