No locals in Phikwe open

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Monday December 6, 2010 00:00

However, the organisers described the tournament as a success. The event was attended by 48 men and 38 women players from different clubs across the country. In the final of men singles, Bonolo Mabote beat Tshepo Modisane to lift the title while Boitshwarelo Butale overcame Tshepiso Rebatenne to be crowned women champion.

Butale and Tshepiso Rebatenne were victorious in the final of the women doubles against Atamelang Simankalele and Salome Matlhatsi. Boipelo Pitsonyane and Tlhobo Matlhatsi won the men doubles after outwitting Tiro Motswasele and Keromemang Chise in the final. In the mixed  doubles, Motswasele and Butale ganged up to beat Boipelo Pitsonyane and Rebatenne in the final.

BTTA spokesperson, Tiro Motswasele told Sport Monitor that it was disappointing that there were no players from Selebi-Phikwe at the tournament. He said that the tournament was meant to give BTTA a chance to select players that will represent Botswana at the Inter-Regional Teams Championship in Cape Town, South Africa. Motswasele said the tournament will be attended by countries from Zone VI. He said  table tennis is still struggling to find sponsorship.

In Cape Town Bonolo Mabote, Joseph Kgatampane, Dafrien Goppani, Wabone Simane, Lame Molefhe and Gaone Kebodiwang will represent Botswana in the men competition while Botshwarelo Butale, Matshidiso Osi, Follah Leero, Namibo Mbulawa are in the women team. The coaches are Thebe Selema and Sai Maribe. Robert Mabong (head of delegation), Samuel Kedisang (delegate), Kudzanani Motswagole (team manager) complete the travelling party.