BAKANG MALOKA WINS TABLE TENNIS REGIONAL TOURNEY

The new regional champion,Bakang Maloka.PC:Kabelo Seleka

Botswana’s celebrated table tennis star Bakang Maloka has stamped authority at the just ended Botswana Phoniex Assurance Regional Championship held in Gaborone, Botswana from the 11th to the 13th of December 2021.

The 24-year-old table tennis star won his fellow compatriot Tshenolo Mooketsi 4-1 in the final to stamp authority in a blockbuster regional showpiece.

In an interview with SPORTSNATION, the talented star player explained that he motivates himselfs when losing.Maloka also elaborated that when he wins he controls himself not to get over excited to lose the game.

The win has secured Maloka a qualification chance at next year`s commonwealth games.

Meanwhile,his counterpart Tshepiso Rebatenne vigorously won expressed that she finally managed to walk away with gold from a regional tournament.Rebatenne`s win coming from a set down to win 4-2 over Mubanga Kunda of Zambia in the final gained her a ticket at Common Wealth games qualifiers at India in February.

Elsewhere, the under 19 girls’ final, Namibian Reese Saunderson beat Janet Modiwa of Zambia 4-3, while in the boys finals, Isaiah Banda of Zambia thrashed his team mate Dismas Mushimwa 4-2.

The champions walked away with P2 000 each, while silver medalists won P1 000 each. Semifinalists won P500 and quarter finalists P250 each courtesy of Phoniex Assurance Botswana`s P50 000.00 sponsorship.

The tournament attracted six SADC nations and Zambia ,Lesotho and Nambia in particular.