Eyebrows were raised when the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) included its under 13 national team starlets among competitors in the ongoing National Super League. Many feared for the youngsters. They were to play against the country’s senior elites. They seemed like lambs to the slaughter, some cannon fodder in the elites’ battle for the league title.
While the youngsters’ addition to the league roaster would have been met with pessimism from some quarters, the BTTA was adamant it was a good thing. They reckoned the blending of upcoming talent and experienced players would set a stage for an exhilarating league.
BTTA president Kudzanani Motswagole insisted that the young upshots would add something different to the league. Their presence, he argued, would reignite elite competition and keep the seniors on their toes.
“People must expect a lot of upsets during the league. These young players, though still at primary or early junior secondary school are there to compete. They were playing in this league last year, so they are not that far off against their more experienced seniors.”
“Having played last year, they will come back more mature and better prepared. While their opponents are experienced, we do not think that will translate into superiority,” Motswagole said at the time.
Fast forward a few games into the National Super League, the BTTA president’s predictions have come to pass. The youngsters are not just holding their own against their seniors, they are giving them a good run for their monies.
In the ladies’ categories, the young Carol David caused the biggest of upsets when she beat the country’s number one ranked female player Tshepiso Rebatenne. David’s win brought to an end Rebatenne’s then four matches winning streak.
At the other end, another emerging female starlet Boitlamo Nkele has also claimed the scalp of Game Kebodiwang. As at October 10th, this past Friday, Nkele was sitting comfortably in position 7 in the league standings, having played five games. David on the other hand was sitting in position 10 of 12, having played four games.
While the men’s section has not produced any notable upsets, the youngsters have also given their seniors a good run. Currently, Reneilwe Lekorwe is on position eight (8), having played five (5) games. The competitiveness of the youngsters has greatly pleased the BTTA.
“We have no regrets about the decision to field these youngsters in the league. We are happy. The decision has worked very well for us. We have seen David upset Rebatenne and also Nkele do the same to the ladies’ fourth ranked player Salome Matlhatsi. This for us is a cause to celebrate,” an elated Motswagole says.
The BTTA president says so far, the girls in the ladies’ section have closed the gap on their seniors, something which bodes well. As for the boys, he believes there is a cause for greater optimism as well.
“The boys are yet to close the gap against their seniors as is the case with the girls. But that was to be expected. The men’s game is much faster. But the boys are also holding their own against the seniors. By this time next year, we will be talking a different story.”
Aside from giving their elders a run for their monies in the local leagues, the results are also showing when the young locals face their counterparts outside Botswana’s borders.
“This past week, these youngsters were in Durban where they were competing in the South Africa junior and Senior regional Championships. And they did very well. Lekorwe got silver in the boys U13 category, while David got bronze in the girls U13 category. This shows that these youngsters can now compete very well against their age mates outside the country,” the BTTA president points out.
As for the next steps, Motswagole says the association wants the girls to win titles locally as they have already closed the gap against their seniors. They are also eyeing more wins in the international arena. For the boys, the BTTA’s wish is for them to close the gap with their seniors next year and then compete for international titles.
With Botswana slated to host the Commonwealth Youth U-15 and the Region 5 Youth U-13 table tennis championships in December this year, the National Super League is serving as a much-needed preparatory platform for the junior national teams.
“We want to win medals in international competitions. To achieve that, we had to do things differently. We understand that we cannot achieve these if we continue to do things as we did previously.”
“We did this because we want our athletes to do well, not just now but in the future as well,” the BTTA president says.
