SEAN DEKOP AIMS HIGHER

Sean Dekop believes table tennis has improved his fitness and cooperating skills; taught him to socialize, discipline and boost his self-confidence. Sean is a junior player for Nhabe table tennis Club. He started playing table tennis in 2017, whilst at Junior School.

He played his last tournament around March this year and he considers it as one of his biggest achievements. This is due to the fact that, at his age, Sean managed to secure himself a space in the senior national team. During the tournament he won against the likes of Botswana’s best table tennis player, Tshenolo Mooketsi. Sean also came out first in the selections for yet another upcoming tournament.

The young star is only 18 years old, but got a lot to show as his achievements. He scooped a couple of singles, doubles, mixed doubles and team events in the BISA competitions while he was doing form 3 up to form 4, equalling Tlotlo Kgosimore’s record as he was the first and last player to do so. The same year when he was doing form 4; out of 8 tournaments he scooped 6 (under 18) gold medals in a row, leading him to go to one final and 2 semi-final in the elite’s man category. At Form 5 he managed to go to one semi-final and scooped the under 18 title “My ranking” in the elites man category.

Do you feel coaching development is good in your current club?

Yes, the coaching development in my club is very good. Ever since I joined the current club there has been huge improvements in my play and other things that I have not been performing well in. This is all thanks to my coaches; Kennete Santudu, Vuyo Tshipinare and Kudzanani Motswagole.

How do you improve your skills in Table Tennis?

Sometimes I watch videos from YouTube and other sites, also there is this one player I admire a lot. He is also my role model ‘Bakang Maloka’. Sometimes I take a lot of time watching him because I feel like he is the most skilful player the country has ever had. I would say I learn a lot from him.

What kind of support do you get from your coach, family, community and friends?

I get massive support from my family, my brother Jason Dekop who is also a table tennis player under junior national team with me. My team mates also encourage me to keep on pushing hard in this journey.

According to you how is sport important in the world today?

Today’s sport has important part in a child’s growth and development. I believe it’s important especially to the youth because, it keeps them off the streets, enhance their social and physical skills, it encourages socialization, also helps one to get scholarship opportunities as we have seen happening in different sporting codes athletes getting to go and study abroad.