Table Tennis finish second at AUSC games
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday December 13, 2019 12:29
Botswana sent an 11-member team including a Para side to the mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho in a tournament held from December 9-11.
The Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) broke a four-year international hiatus from international competition as local ping pong players brought home 12 medals, finishing second behind champions South Africa while the host finished third.
The local players brought silver medals in the men, women and Para table tennis team events. The country’s top ranked duo, Tshenolo Mooketsi and Thobo Matlhatsi bagged a silver medal in men’s doubles while Mompati Chabe and Bakang Maloka won a bronze medal. In the ladies’ women section, Tshepiso Rebatenne and Boitshwarelo Butale won a bronze in the doubles. Maloka and Mooketsi won bronze medals in the men’s singles as Onnetse Isiah failed to defend Para table tennis title in the women’s as she bagged a silver medal while Lefika Mahudiri clinched a bronze in the men’s Para table tennis singles.
Reacting to the team’s performance, BTTA president, Kudzanani Motswagole bemoaned lack of resources during the preparations but lauded the team for the display.
“The team performed well since we managed to beat South Africa in the men’s singles to make it in to the semi finals.
In the ladies (section), we are a bit concerned since we did not make it in to semifinals,” Motswagole said.
“Overall we assembled the best (squad) and a very young team which we have more time to work on for regional glory.
The dream is still alive, we want gold medals at regional championships and it was very close. Resources permitting we will start our preparations early for future championships.”
The team arrived back in the country on Thursday. Meanwhile, BTTA holds an international training course for umpires, and tournament organisers today (Friday).
International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) expert, Michael Zwipp will train 30 participants from BTTA affiliated clubs, Botswana Integrated Sports Association and Botswana Tertiary Education School Sports Association (BOTTESSA