April 7 2010: Botswana;s table tennis players were in excellent form over the weekend during the Botswana Cup tournament. The players managed to scoop almost all positions except the champion title which went to Oteng Tlapeng of Wits University Table Tennis Club.
Bonolo Mabote attained position two, Thobo Matlhatsi position three and Joseph Kgatlampane got position four. In the women’s singles, Boitswarelo Butale got position one, Follah Leero position to, Matshidiso Osi position three, while Phemelo Gaborapelwe came fourth.
In the men’s doubles position one went to Leruo Mokgwathi and Rorisang Raesima, position two Kudzanani Motswagole and Thato Taukobong, Bonolo Mabote and Boiki Selerio position three and MacDonald Qalinge and Tiro Motswasele position four. Matshidiso Osi and Phemelo Gaborapelwe came first in the women’s doubles. Boitswarelo Butale and Tshepiso Rebatenne got position two, Salome Matlhatsi and Omogolo position three while position four went to Follah Leero and Wame.
Position one in the mixed doubles was scooped by Bonolo Mabote and Matshidiso Osi, position two Joseph Kgatlampane and Phemelo Gaborapelwe, position three Dafrien Goppani and Follah Leero while position four went to Tiro Motswasele and Boitswarelo Butale.
Botswana Table Tennis tournament organizer, Rorisang Raesima told The Telegraph that South African players could not attend because they are currently in a training camp and their passports were taken for visa applications.
However local players from SSKB, Thebephatshwa, Kanye, Smash Maniacs, Nhabe, and Dithubaruba attended the tournament.
All in all there were 13 female players and 41 male players.
“we are not very impressed by the attendance. We seem to hgave a problem of continuity, since a lot of players just drop off from the game after finishing high school.this is a problem that is inherenmt in other sports codes as well” said Raesima.
Another problem that they are facing is that of formation of clubs, especially in major villages and towns.
“We encourage people to establish clubs. BTTA will assist by providing equipment. We will soon be having a club in Kasane, we are currently assisting them with registration,” he added.
