Table Tennis umpire, Thato Ritah Nthaga, is on her way to become a blue badge umpire after passing the advanced rules examination in Linz, Austria, where she was officiating in a World Table Tennis tournament.
She became part of the officials after responding to an invitation to apply to officiate at the tournament that ended on Saturday. The outcome of the results marks a significant step in her journey towards achieving the blue badge, which is an advanced level of certification for international umpires. Nthaga is currently a white badge umpire, which is the basic level. Nthaga told SportMonitor from Linz that her achievement was a long-term goal that she set in 2023, with the intention of attending international tournaments to gain experience. She said the advanced rules examination needs someone to have been experienced in umpiring at international competitions.
“The examination focuses on rules and situational questions, which I believe are easier to handle when you have prior experience. Once I had the opportunity to travel to Linz, I began studying during the festive season, dedicating a few hours a day to preparation while also attending online classes. When people were having fun, I was busy. Absolutely, I was expecting to pass because I had prepared for it and it was my personal goal set two years ago. I was deliberate about attending international tournaments even though I had an opportunity to sit for this examination last year, my goal was 2025,” Nthaga said.
She said fortunately during the World Table Tennis tournament, she was evaluated and the next step is to complete the final phase of the process. “To earn the blue badge certification, one must undergo evaluations by two evaluators and achieve four ‘meets’ at two different international events. Additionally there is an interview to assess English proficiency, ensuring that you can fluently speak or at least hold a conversation in English. A meet means meeting expected performance, so I wrote my examination, passed, and I was evaluated by two evaluators. I now have to attend another tournament where I will be evaluated to get two meets to make a total of four meets. I will then be certified as a blue badge umpire. This is after 10 years of qualifying as a white badge umpire. I am making progress to the next level,” she said.
Nthaga said the target after securing the blue badge is to reach the gold badge, but she does not have a time line for that. Securing a gold badge will mean Nthaga will be following in the footsteps of Akram Ben Attia of Tunisia who has been listed among the top 16 gold badge umpires certified by the International Table Tennis Federation(ITTF) in January 2025. “I am hopeful that there will soon be a tournament either in Africa or elsewhere, with evaluations so I can attend and complete my remaining two meets. I also had a chance to meet the ITTF Umpiring chairperson and deputy chairperson, and I am excited about what lies ahead for myself and fellow umpires in Africa,” Nthaga said. The Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) president, Kudzanani Motswagole, said Nthaga’s achievement underscores the growing presence of Botswana in the global table tennis arena.
He said it also reflects the impact BTTA efforts to support its officials and athletes in achieving international recognition. “Nthaga’s success serves as an inspiration to aspiring umpires in Botswana and the region, proving that dedication and hard work can open doors to global opportunities,” he said.