Simone, Lathitha and Milcah Gologolo are three sisters hooked by table tennis and doing exceedingly well in it!
The sisters first got involved in the sport by watching their father, Simon Gologolo, who was the former South African coach for the sport. He has now progressed to being an international table tennis coach
United by the sport, Simon and his late wife, who was an administrator of the Table Tennis Academy, made it their mission to ensure that their three daughters were not only gifted in school but also in table tennis.
“Their mother passed on during the Covid-19 pandemic so the girls honour her by playing to the best of their ability,” Gologolo said. The girls grew up in the table tennis hall and were training with other children, Gologolo said. The reason the sport became something so serious in their household was the goals the girls set for themselves.
“Simone always wanted to be a national champion, which she achieved in 2022, Lathitha is now gunning for that position,” Gologolo mentioned.
The girls fall under the Tempe Club and getting to training has been quite a challenge for them since there is no active venue for the sport in Heidedal where the girls stay. The proud father of the girls mentioned that there is a daily programme for them to maintain a healthy balance between school and sport.
“The African Junior Championships held in Gaborone was such a memorable moment for Simone because it was her first time making the national team. I also challenged Simone to make ten friends from different African teams, she flourished not only socially but also on the courts,” said Gologolo.
The girls mentioned that their table tennis role models are the Chinese women’s champion Ding Ning, South Africa’s Danisha Patel, as well as Zodwa Maphanga.
However, currently the two younger sisters’ role model is Simone, because of her recent achievements. The girls enjoy the social aspect, the friends they make as well as the networking part of it, and a centre in France has recently shown interest in Simone’s playing style.
The next tournament will be on 21 September in Johannesburg. To donate, please contact Simon on 068-269-7050.
Abigail Visagie
