Local badminton umpires attain int’l accreditation

Local umpires Gopolang Mekgwe and Gagonathata Moigela are now Badminton Confederation of Africa accredited Umpires.Following the just-ended 2017 All Africa Badminton Senior Mixed Team Championships in South Africa, Mekgwe and Moigela successfully passed the assessment to gain international recognition.

The duo joins Emmanual Kgaboetsile who has for long been the sole local Badminton World Federation-accredited Umpire. Speaking to BG Sport Monday, Thuso Modongo, the manager of the team that represented the country in South Africa, said the honour will enable Moigela and Mekgwe to umpire at continental and International badminton tournaments.

Modongo explained that the senior team failed to produce desired results but achievements such as this will enable better and more fruitful results in future. The tournament ran from 16th-23rd April and saw Team Botswana suffer drubbings in team and individual events.

Nevertheless, Modongo expressed delight that the team managed to topple powerhouses like Algeria, Mauritius and Uganda, who are currently ranked below Botswana in team events. Modongo applauded Leungo Tshweeneetsile and Botho Makubate among others for fighting their way into the women doubles quarterfinals that nearly gave Botswana a possible medal from the event. Other players who put in a good show included Tlholego Chamo, Tefo Kabomo, Tessa Kabelo, Tumisang Olekantse and Oreeditse Thela to mention a few.