01/10/2026
NKELE AND MALOKA RULE PHOENIX INDEPENDENCE GRAND FINALE
Boitlamo Nkele and Bakang Maloka emerged as the standout performers at the Phoenix Botswana Assurance Independence Grand Finale, walking away as champions of the elite ladies’ and men’s categories respectively.
The tournament provided a fitting celebration of Botswana’s Independence while showcasing the depth of talent in the country’s table tennis fraternity. Players competed across the Under-19 and elite categories, with substantial prize money provided by Phoenix Botswana Assurance.
NKELE DOMINATES ELITE LADIES
Nkele of Bontleng capped an impressive tournament with a convincing 3-luv victory over Tsholofelo Gaokgalemelwe of BDF in the elite ladies’ final.
The final saw Nkele take control from the opening exchanges, winning the first set 11-3. She maintained her momentum in the second set, taking it 11-8 before completing the clean sweep with an 11-7 victory in the third set.
The victory earned Nkele P5,000 and the elite ladies’ championship.
Her route to the final included a 3-1 semi-final victory over Constance Kuswani of BDF. Nkele won the first two sets 11-5 and 11-3 before Kuswani responded by taking the third 11-5. Nkele, however, closed out the contest with an 11-6 win in the fourth set.
Gaokgalemelwe booked her place in the final after defeating Olorato Ramagapu of Dithubaruba 3-luv in the other semi-final. She won 11-6, 11-7 and 11-9.
Gaokgalemelwe settled for the silver medal and P3,000, while Ramagapu and Kuswani shared the bronze medals, each receiving P2,000.
Nkele's triumph was particularly notable as she had earlier finished runner-up in the Under-19 girls’ category, demonstrating her ability to compete successfully across both age and elite competition.
MALOKA CLAIMS ELITE MEN'S CROWN
In the elite men’s category, Bakang Maloka of BDF emerged champion after navigating a competitive knockout stage.
Maloka defeated Reneilwe Lekorwe of Smash Maniacs 3-luv in the semi-final. The encounter was closely contested despite the straight-set result, with Maloka winning 12-10, 11-7 and 11-9.
The other semi-final saw Tshireletso Samuel of BDF overcome William Olyn of Smash Maniacs 3-1. Samuel won the first set 11-8, lost the second 12-14, but recovered to take the third 11-8 and fourth 11-4.
The final between the two BDF players saw Maloka secure the championship with a 3-luv victory over Samuel. The recorded set scores were 9-11, 9-11 and 12-10, as Maloka completed his run to the title.
Maloka collected P5,000 for his championship victory, while Samuel took P3,000 as runner-up.
Lekorwe and Olyn claimed the bronze medals, with both players receiving P2,000.
JUNIOR TALENT ON DISPLAY
The Independence Grand Finale also provided a platform for Botswana’s emerging players, with the Under-19 categories producing competitive encounters.
In the Under-19 girls, Stephney Batsholeng of Bontleng defeated Nkele 3-1 to claim the championship.
Batsholeng won the opening set 13-11 before Nkele responded with an 11-5 victory in the second. Batsholeng regained the advantage with an 11-6 win in the third set before sealing the title with an 11-9 fourth-set victory.
Batsholeng received P3,000, while Nkele collected P2,000 as runner-up. Carol David of Bontleng and Masa Motlhabane of Maikano shared the bronze medal, each receiving P1,000.
The Under-19 boys’ championship went to Reneilwe Lekorwe of Smash, who defeated Thato Kgongwana of Bontleng 3-0 in the final.
Lekorwe won 11-6, 11-7 and 11-5 to take the boys’ title and P3,000.
Kgongwana received P2,000, while Botshelo Sita and Gofaone Dzvaka, both of Bontleng, took bronze and received P1,000 each.
PHOENIX SUPPORTS TABLE TENNIS
The prize money for the Independence Grand Finale was provided by Phoenix Botswana Assurance, highlighting the company's continued support of competitive table tennis and opportunities for players across different age groups.
The elite champions also received an additional bed-and-breakfast voucher from Ave Maria.
The tournament therefore combined Independence celebrations with a strong sporting programme, bringing together junior prospects and established elite players in a competitive environment.
For Nkele and Maloka, their victories provided the headline moments of the tournament, with both elite champions taking home P5,000 and further recognition for their performances.
The performances of the junior players also provided an encouraging glimpse into the next generation of Botswana table tennis, as the sport continues to create competitive pathways from youth level into senior and elite competition.
The Phoenix Botswana Assurance Independence Grand Finale ultimately served as both a celebration of Botswana’s Independence and a showcase of the country's table tennis talent, with champions, finalists and medalists rewarded for their performances on the table.
Source ~ Botswana Table Tennis Association
