Sponsor cuts funding for table tennis league

Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday October 22, 2015 09:52

Pay cheque: Celiat managing director, Kganetso Tlhalerwa (left) hands over the sponsorship cheque to Botswana Table Tennis Association president, Lesego Maifala. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The new deal was announced at a brief ceremony at the National Stadium yesterday.

The company’s managing director, Kganetso Tlhalerwa told Mmegi Sport that the P5,000 decrease was due to depressed trading conditions.

He explained the funds are raised through profits that the company make, but stated it has been a bad year for them. He said they expect a positive change next year with new projects likely to generate better income for the company.

“Table tennis has potential, but it is unfortunate that they do not have sponsorship like other codes such as football and athletics. Our intention is to assist BTTA to grow the sport in the country,” said Tlhalerwa.

The league chairperson, Kudzanani Motswagole, speaking at the launch function, said their aim is to make players more competitive, especially when they participate in international competitions. He said players who participate in the league are top seeds inside the top eight for both men and women. Motswagole said they intend to embrace the idea of inviting top players from outside the country to give locals competition. The Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) chief executive officer, Falcon Sedimo said the sponsorship is a sign of capability of self-reliance from a local company. He said government is the main financier of sport and with the assistance of companies slike Celiat, growth is eminent.

Sedimo said table tennis should prove itself and represent Botswana at international competitions such as the Olympics.

Full list of players who

will participate in the league:

Women: Tshepiso Rebatenne, Boitshwarelo Butale, Namibo Mbulawa, Matshidiso Osi, Phemelo Gaborapelwe, Hetweg Kangootui, Olorato Ramagapu and Salome Matlhatsi.

Men: Thobo Matlhatsi, Bonolo Mabote, Kola Modisaotsile, Kennete Santudu, Tiro Lesomo, Joseph Kgatlampane, McDonald Qalinge and Rorisang Raesima. The league started last night at the Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) hall with Rebatenne playing against Salome. The other match was between Matlhatsi and Raesima. The defending champion for men is Mabote while Butale is the reigning women’s champion.