She pursued squash from the age of nine at an elementary school in Gaborone after an invitation from a friend. By then squash was a new sport in her school and they wanted to try it out. Otshabeng is now at St Lawrence University in New York under the BNSC Elite Scholarship where she intends to take her game to the next level. “Before squash, I did a bit of athletics and played netball. I am now fully committed to squash and my first major competition was the British Junior Open in 2017. I was 10-years-old and it was bad, I was really scared. The same year I went to play the Scottish Junior Open where I finished third. I have won a couple of tournaments in South Africa. It was a long time ago, so I cannot remember but in places like Gauteng and Pretoria. I was the Under-13 champion in Botswana,” she said.
Otshabeng has hit the ground running in college squash where she has also assisted her team to victory. She was recently named the women's squash rookie of the week after helping her team win the Liberty League final over Denison University. Otshabeng said it is nice being in New York, although sometimes she misses home. She mentioned that over the weekend, she received a lot of support during a match, something that she will cherish forever. “As a freshman, especially since I am number one, there were a lot of things going through my mind in my first match. I had to win it. First impression. I feel that I put a lot of pressure on myself and ended up losing 3-2. The nerves kicked in. Now I am used to the environment and I enjoy the sport. College squash is not something that I expected, there is a lot of support. I have great coaches and friends supporting me. It is something that we should improve on back home,” she said. She said it is wonderful to play alongside players from other countries as they are amongst the best. Otshabeng mentioned that her coach, Koketso Ntshebe, always reminded her to do her best. "My role model is Raneem Mohamed Yasser Saad El Din El Welily from Egypt.
She was once world number one but is now retired. I motivate myself. My family back home, my grandmother also motivates me to be the best version of myself every day,” Otshabeng said. She added that her national team debut was in the USA Open in 2022. Lefika Ragontse of DreadSports Squash and Fitness based in New York said as a proud sponsor and someone who deeply values supporting Batswana, it is inspiring to see Otshabeng excel. “She is a shining example of what dedication, hard work and opportunity can achieve. Her journey proves that sports can be a powerful vehicle for success, opening doors to education, global exposure, and personal growth,” he said. Ragontse said having a player like Otshabeng is incredibly rewarding. He said the player embodies the spirit of perseverance and excellence, and her success serves as motivation for the next generation of athletes in Botswana. “Our support for Otshabeng goes beyond just sponsorship. We are committed to ensuring she has the resources, mentorship, and opportunities needed to reach even greater heights. “Whether it is access to top-level training, exposure to international competition, or guidance in balancing academics and athletics, we are here to help her maximise her potential,” Ragontse said.
He said Otshabeng has the potential to go professional (pro), but they will see what path she ultimately chooses. "We also sponsor Leungo Katse, who has already decided to go pro, and we fully support her journey,” he said. Ragontse explained that the beauty of what they do is that they let the athletes choose their own path whether in pursuing a professional career or leveraging their talent for academic opportunities. "Becoming a professional athlete requires immense sacrifice, far more than most people realise. It is not just about talent, it demands relentless dedication, discipline, and the willingness to give up certain comforts and opportunities," he added. FACT FILE Full names: Angel Amantle Otshabeng Place of birth: Ramotswa Date of birth: October 28, 2005 Hobbies: Dancing and reading Favourite meal: I miss food back home, especially seswaa, pap, and morogo Ritual before game: I meditate Playing hand: Right
