Kim's Auto honours tennis prodigy
MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent
| Thursday January 24, 2008 00:00
The equipment were handed over to Mabaka accompanied by his mother, Fidzani, by Kim's Auto managing director, Chae Soo Kim at the Botswana Tennis Centre in Gaborone. The company donated the equipment to the Gaborone Senior Secondary School (GSS) Form Five student after realising that though he is a good player, he has problems attending training.
Kim believes the equipment would make a lot of difference in Mabaka's tennis career. He said sponsoring the player is part of the company's social responsibility.
Kim said the fact that Mabaka is the only Motswana who reached the second stage of African Junior Championships last year is a clear indication that he has talent.
He said Mabaka succeeded despite the difficulties he went through. However, Kim regretted that they took a long time to realise the boy's potential and to help him.
'May be if we had acted in time, today we could be celebrating his international medal,' he said. Kim's Auto has been sponsoring tennis for more than 10 years. Kim promised that they would continue to invest in children to build responsible leaders for the future.
Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) president Judge Mookodi said at the handover ceremony that they noticed Mabaka's immense talent in last year's African Junior Championships (AJC). However, they later realised that he had some limitations.
Mookodi said through the equipment, he (Mabaka) would be able to realise his dream and they expect a lot from him. Mabaka's mother, Fidzani, said she would work together with BTA to help his son.
She said Mabaka is a first class student and that playing tennis does not affect his schoolwork.
She described her 17-year-old son as a church loving boy. She was happy that playing tennis keeps him busy and away from bad things.