The Difficulties of being a Table Tennis Player in Botswana: Conversations with a National Team Player

It is not easy to be a table tennis player in Botswana because the sport is yet to go professional, a women’s national table tennis team player, Constance Kuswani, has told The Business Weekly Sports . “We (table tennis players) have to have money when we have tournaments,” she said in a telephone interview. “That is the same money we use to buy equipment, pay for transport and our every day bills. [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type="show" ihc_mb_who="1,2,3,4" ihc_mb_template="1" ] “If you do not have money for transport to make it to training, it means it will not be easy for you to be competitive and win. Other players, especially unemployed players, end up giving up on tennis table as their game deteriorates.” National table tennis team players, including Kuswani, were ‘missing in action’ at the Table Tennis Africa Senior Championships which were held in Algeria earlier this year owing to financial constraints. “We were told after qualifying that the association could not help us with funds to go to the championships,” she said. “It was very hard for us mentally because we really wanted to participate in the championships. Failure to attend denied us an opportunity to showcase our skills outside, learn and get experience from Africa’s top athletes, attract potential international sponsors and make sports connections.” Even so, Kuswani has put missing the Africa Championships down to a necessary eye opener. “That is because we were then forced to look for sponsors (to fund the trip) on our own,” she explained. “The compulsion saw me creating a Facebook page, which is something that I probably would never have done. “Some of the several companies that I approached for sponsorship actually asked if table tennis really existed. That is when I felt the need to open a page and brand myself at the same time promoting table tennis. These days sponsorships are very difficult to come by if you do not have a brand. That is why we have not despaired even after failing to attract sponsors to fund the trip.” Due to her drive, many people - more especially young athletes - are looking up to Kuswani as a role model. “I now have experience when it comes to seeking sponsorships, public speaking and public engagement,” she pointed out. “I have had a few companies approach me for collaborations and I am keen of clinching such deals as another income stream for investing more in my sports career.” The 27-year-old table tennis player said failure to attend the Africa Championships also motivated her to think of opening her own sports centre where to share her skills with younger athletes who have a passion for table tennis. “It has encouraged me to think about giving back to the community,” she said. “I have met influential and reputable people, including businesspeople, on this journey and have now built strong connections for the future. One such person is Goitsemang Khutsafalo, who is now my role model.” Meanwhile, the Tutume-born table tennis sensation believes she has had a good season in general. “Challenges are always there but I can generally say that they have made me realise my potential and strengths that I never knew I had,” Kuswani asserted. “Competition-wise, I did a podium finish in all the tournaments and played my first final match in this very season, which is a level I always wanted to reach. And I won money and medals.” [/ihc-hide-content]

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𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐂 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫

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𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐂 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫

The Difficulties of being a Table Tennis Player in Botswana: Conversations with a National Team Player

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