Botswana came tops amongst a cohort of nations who had shown interest in hosting the two competitions. The Africa Youth Championship is to be held from July 15-21 while the Commonwealth Youth Championship will follow shortly after the continental showpiece.
Speaking to MmegiSport, BTTA's public relations officer, Tshegofatso Malepa said table tennis would use the opportunity to sell the country through sports tourism. Malepa hinted that the game could be hosted outside Gaborone and spread across the country. "We have facilities that currently we are considering and we are in partnership (with). We are still in talks with some of our stakeholders to see where we can take the events; a possible venue that will be accommodative to the magnitude of the event.
We are also keeping in mind that we need to tap into sports tourism, to try to sell Botswana. "As of now, we have a facility that can support the magnitude that is coming. We are still trying to see if all the aspects that I have talked about, sports tourism, the type of venue, and selling Botswana, where will it be best suited," Malepa said.
The two tournaments would be the biggest the BTTA will host following a series of regional competitions held locally. The tougher assignment now begins for the BTTA as the association is on the hunt for financial assistance. It appears to be a mountain-high task in a tough sporting environment. Malepa said the BTTA is yet to draw a budget for the two competitions and talks with potential sponsors for partnerships are yet to begin.
The BTTA will receive financial assistance from the continental mother body, ITTF-Africa while the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) is also expected to boost the tournaments' coffers. "At the moment, we are in good standing (with the BNSC). We are head hunting partners as we are the best in the region for hosting international tournaments that require sponsors. Besides the grant we get from the mother body, the ITTF-Africa towards the hosting of this tournament, we will be hunting for partners so that we can enhance the prizes and also for other logistics," said Malepa.
She further said hosting these youth championships is in line with the executive committee's 10 pillars for the next four-year term in office. She said the BTTA has shifted focus to building competitive Under-11, Under-15, and Under-19, as well as the Under-21 teams that will in the future feed the national team.
The BTTA is targeting primary schools and recently donated world-class equipment from Stag International to the schools. The Junior Diteemane are currently in camp for the ITTF Southern Region Hopes tournament that will be held in Windhoek, Namibia from November 26 to December 1, 2023.
The BTTA has assembled a four-member Under-11 squad for the series and they are under the tutelage of development coordinator, Godirileone Bagwasi. Reneilwe Lekorwe and Tinashe Dzvaka make up the boys' team while Tshegofatso Buisanang and Boitlamo Nkele are in the girls' team.
