Record turnout for BDF Open
Tuesday, July 01, 2025 | 530 Views |
Under-19 boys finalist, Thato Kgongwana (red) of Bontleng/ Ithuteng club against Reneilwe Lekorwe (blue) of Smash Maniacs PIC.KENNEDY RAMOKONE
The tournament, which was held at Babusi Hall, in Gaborone was initially scheduled for a day, on Saturday. However due to an increased in number of entrants, the 2025 BDF Open extended to Sunday morning.
This year the tournament drew a staggering 211 players across four categories, marking a major milestone for local table tennis competitions’ growth in Botswana. The senior men’s category alone attracted 63 players, while the ladies’ draw featured 52 competitors. The junior divisions were equally impressive, with 48 boys and 48 girls battling it out on the across, signaling that interest in the sport is surging.
The rise in defilement and missing persons cases, particularly over the recent festive period, points not merely to a failure of policing, but to a profound and widespread societal crisis. Whilst the Police chief’s plea is rightly directed at parents, the root of this emergency runs deeper, demanding a collective response from every corner of our community. Marathe’s observations paint a picture of neglect with children left alone for...