This is the best ever record for local badminton- Thela

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Monday November 28, 2011 00:00

 

Thela reached two semi finals, also playing in the mixed doubles, where he partnered Boto Makhubate. The mixed doubles pair beat South Africa's James McManus and Lee gun De Wet, before losing to another South African pair of James Dorran and Michelle Edwards in the semi finals. Thela and partner Godwin Mathumo reached the semi finals where they crashed out in 30 minutes to South Africa's par Dorran L and Willem.

Thela, and his partner, both teachers, say local badminton is used to crashing out in the first rounds in such events. ' But this time, we were determined to reach at least the semi finals,and put the country in the map. We could have done better in the last match, but we are happy that we reached our goal', added his partner, Mathumo.

The Botswana pair however did not do enough to increase their chances of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics in London next year. They lost 21-16 and 21-7 in the semis.

Meanwhile Keone Olatotse had the opportunity to play the tournament's no.1 seed, Israel's Misha Zilberman.

The Botswana player caused an upset when he took the first set from the Israeli, 19-21, before he came back strongly to take the following two sets 21-11 and 21-14. Olatotse had enjoyed a walkover in the first round, and then he met compatriot Golekanye Kabelo, before fighting the Israeli in the quaterfinals.

Mathumo also met the tournament's no.2 seed and the eventual winner of the event, Uganda's Edwin Ekiring, in round 2, losing 21-18, 21-7. Meanwhile, Thela would also be not so disappointed with his singles display where he took a set from Nigerian Fagbeni Ebenezer, before the Nigerian received to win the following sets 21-19, 21-19. In other notable games, Otsile Marumo lost to Italy player while Richard Mokgoro met Hungarian opposition in the first round of the men's singles..