Maifala Bounces Back To Ping Pong Leadership

Thato Kala | Monday September 1, 2014 12:45

Maifala was unopposed for the position after outgoing president, Thebe Selema decided not to contest citing pressing commitments. Contestants for four other positions - secretary general, treasurer, tournament secretary and youth development coordinator - were also unopposed.

Boykie Selerio was retained as treasurer unopposed as Kudzanani Motswagole remained tournament secretary because there was no challenger. Additional member Tswelelo Kololo was retained. She was joined by Follah Leero.  The new BTTA secretary general is Bolokang Pema, who replaces Brian Sitang.

Outgoing BTTA president, Selema gave an annual report, highlighting the successes of the association during his term in office.

The successes include the certification of 11 Level One coaches, International Umpires and the successful hosting of the Africa Youth Games (AYG). 

Botswana’s winning of team and individual medals at the Zone Six Championships for the first time in Lusaka, Zambia was also highlighted. The medals earned Botswana’s table tennis team a ticket to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.

Selema said the medals won in the Rustenburg Open and South African Open were a sign that the sport is moving in the right direction.

For the first time, Botswana took part in the World Table Tennis Teams Championships in China and Selema is convinced such exposure will go a long way to develop local players.

BTTA also sent the AYG team to the Africa Cadet and Junior Championships, as well as the Youth Olympic Games qualifiers in Egypt.

Selema said another success is the hosting of several coaching courses for players and teachers through the Olympic Solidarity funding during his tenure.

He said table tennis had the highest number of tournaments in the country as the association empowered clubs by allowing them to host ranking competitions. The sport also benefited from the services of a Chinese expert who spent three months in the country, training players.

Affiliates also hailed the women empowerment workshop on International Women’s Day. Selema said his committee facilitated the BTTA Elite Top Eight League which has a sponsor Celiat Construction and Plant Hire. The Top Eight will see the country’s stars battle it out in a home and away format on Wednesdays and Saturdays from this month to December. Celiat Construction has donated P20,000 to sponsor the event.

Botswana National Sport Council (BNSC) official, Bobby Gaseitsiwe challenged the incoming committee to align BTTA strategic plan with BNSC’s vision 2028. He stressed the importance of developing the constitution, adding a two-year term is too short to make lasting changes in the sport.