The Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) has made strides in player development and their bet on the youth is paying dividends. The BTTA hosted the ITTF-Africa Youth Championship and the Continental Hopes Week and Challenge in the winter of 2024. A series of international tournaments then followed with the hosting of the Commonwealth Youth Championships and a regional Under-15 championship. During the ITTF-Africa Youth Championship, Diteemane youth broke barriers, reaching the last 16 round of the boys' singles whilst also bagging a bronze, a first for the country in the girls' team events. The BTTA had sought the technical assistance of Nigerian coach, Adedotun Omoniyi to spearhead the BTTA's high performance training programme with the main focus on youth talent. The junior Diteemane has since been making strides since the arrival of Omoniyi in March. The youth team invaded the Joburg Open in South Africa over the weekend and brought home four medals. A five-member team took part in the international tournament under the Johannesburg Table Tennis Association rooster from April 26-28.
Top ranked youth player, Reneilwe Lekorwe won a gold medal in the Under-13 boys while Tinashe Dzvaka settled for a silver medal in an all Botswana final. Boitlamo Nkele won a silver medal in the girls' Under-13 as she lost to Tamika van As of South Africa in the final. Nkele bagged her second medal of the tournament as she won a silver medal alongside Carol David in the mixed open gender doubles. The Joburg Open is regarded as a premier tournament in the region and the BTTA is pleased with the team's performance as it raises hopes for a better outing in regional and continental tournaments. Speaking to MmegiSport this week, the BTTA's public relations officer, Tshegofatso Malepa said the team tested its mettle against the region's powerhouse, South Africa and came with promising results.
