Locals embrace wheelchair tennis
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday October 24, 2022 16:00
South African renowned wheelchair tennis coach, Patrick Selepe, groomed the crop of youngsters and coaches.
The presence of South Africa wheelchair tennis sensation Alwande Sikhosana was meant to inspire the youngsters. Selepe told Sport Monitor that they were in Gaborone to support Botswana wheelchair tennis with assistance from the International Tennis Federation (ITF). “The reason we are here is bigger than Botswana because we lack as Africa when it comes to participation in wheelchair tennis.
If we can have African countries participating in wheelchair tennis, it will be easy for us competing in our continent than going to Europe for tournaments. It is expensive for players to play tournaments overseas,” he said.
Selepe said in the end, few players get such opportunities because of expenses. He said they are working with ITF to have more wheelchair activities happening in many African countries.
Selepe said after the camp, he expects wheelchair tennis to be stronger in Botswana and build a relationship with South Africa. “It is not about the number of participants but the important thing is having an activity. You might have two players and out of two, one player can be the best. To start small is a good thing because your focus is not going to be spread too much and be a problem when it comes to funding,” he said.
Selepe also said he had three groups in the camp, Under 10 (the most important group because you have a longer time working with them and they are easy to manage), Under 15 (they are important because they are about to play in the junior circuit) and the other group was Under 18.
He said the Botswana Tennis Association should focus on that group until they can compete. “When that group starts competing, that is when we can add more numbers. The more numbers you have, problems starts because it is expensive to have wheelchairs.
I know Federations are running away from wheelchair tennis because it is a sensitive sport,” he said. Selepe said in most instances, kids with disabilities are locked up in houses and giving them an opportunity to play means a lot to them.
He said the BTA must support the programme and it is possible for Botswana to be in the world rankings of junior wheelchair tennis. Selepe said the only thing needed is financial support. For his part, Sikhosana told Sport Monitor that the camp is what made him to be what he is today. “A few years ago (at nine years), I was part of this camp and looking at where I am right now there has been a lot of progress.
I believe that I have the knowledge and experience and I am here to share that with these upcoming players to assist them to get to the next level,” he said. As a junior, the 22-year-old Sikhosana was ranked number two in the world.
He is a former South Africa number one three years in a row. He has now turned ‘Pro’ and Sikhosana is ranked number one wheelchair player in Africa. Meanwhile, BTA junior tennis coordinator, Gaone Modisane said they want to introduce wheelchair tennis in the country for kids aged eight years up to 14 years. She said wheelchair tennis is going to be part of the BTA programmes.