Tennis preparations hampered by financial constraints

Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday April 17, 2014 13:50

 

The team has no money to buy playing kits and the players have been forced to share shoes, racquets and uniform. Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) spokesperson, Trevor Modise told Mmegi Sport that all players in the squad are from government schools and cannot afford equipment. 

He said a pair of tennis shoes costs around P800 and one has to part with P1,200 for a good racquet.

Modise said the shortage of equipment came to the fore last December when the BTA hosted a tournament and players had to share racquets. Currently, the players are using racquets donated to the BTA.

Modise said the situation is different for Morocco-based Innocent Tidimane, who gets new equipment annually.

BTA started preparing the team for the Youth Games during the Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) national championship last year.

The team has played two tournaments. It took part in the Africa Junior Championships in Morocco and another tournament in South Africa.

Modise said the players did not do well but at the moment, they have upped their game.

BTA plans to take the team to two tournaments in Namibia next month before the Youth Games.

“All players in our team are stars.

There is no particular player who outshines others, though Tidimane is more experienced after playing in the Africa Zone Group III Davis Cup in Cairo in May last year.

He is based at the Elite Training Centre in Casablanca, Morocco which means he gets more time training than his fellow team mates,” said Modise.

 

ABOUT AYG TENNIS

Games venue: National Tennis Centre

Seating capacity: Approximately 2 000

Coach: Wellington Sibanda

Team manager: Trevor Modise

Players: Innocent Tidimane (Elite Training Centre, Casablanca, Morocco), Emmanuel Mabechu (Phikwe Tennis Centre), Botho Tawana (Phikwe Tennis Centre) and Nthabiseng Mogopodi (National Tennis Centre, Gaborone)