Lelatisitswe: Reluctant paddler spins shade into gold

Friday, February 27, 2026 | 60 Views |

She picked up a table tennis paddle to escape the scorching Boteti sun. Today, Emmah Lelatisitswe is the newest Phoenix Assurance Super League champion, national team player, coach, and PhD economist, proving that sometimes, destiny finds you in the most unlikely places, writes MmegiSport Correspondent, KABELO BORANABI

It was 2011 at Mopipi Junior Secondary School, and like every afternoon in Boteti, the heat was unforgiving. Learners were pushed onto dusty grounds for sport, but Lelatisitswe wanted no part of it.

Football and athletics meant running under a relentless sky; instead, she chose shade. “I never had any intention of joining sports,” she admits. “I was just too lazy to be running around in that heat.”

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

Table Tennis

A personal farewell to my brother, mentor and comrade

BREWER KENOSI | 1d ago

UBLS alumni association AGM in Gaborone

staff writer | 1d ago

Pros, cons of cadre deployment

staff writer | 1d ago

Boko’s time runs thin on the economy

Mbongeni Mguni,Pauline Dikuelo,Lewanika Timothy | 1d ago

Makhadzi, promoter deal sees singer returning to SA

Larona Makhaiza | 1d ago

Mainoo, Lacey raise the spirits but systemic change still required

The Guardian* | 1d ago

The day I missed out on Old Trafford chants

Calistus Kolantsho | 1d ago

Vultures rediscover winning formula

Calistus Kolantsho | 1d ago

Tana project a welcome development

Whilst the project received mixed reactions from members of the public, the project is indeed a welcome development, which needs to be implemented as soon as possible. Many shared their opinion, with those against the project decrying that if implemented, it will kill the already struggling public transport industry.Many countries around the world have state-run public transport, and those who have travelled to such countries will give testimony...

The Monitor Editor | 03 November 2026

About us

Mmegi is the leading independent source of breaking news, latest news, current
affairs, Politics, Business, Sport, debates, analysis, and entertainment news in Botswana.