The tournament starts tomorrow and ends on December 20.
The US Junior Open will be played in girls' Under-17 and Under-19 categories. The coach, Koketso Ntshebe told Mmegi Sport that this is a huge milestone for local squash. “My charges will find more than 1,000 players waiting for them.
After the tournament, the players will remain in Philadelphia for training and play other tournaments into the New Year. We expect them back home around January 10,” he said. Ntshebe said it would be the first time they have athletes playing in the US Open in the history of Botswana squash.
The players have received sponsorship from Lefika Ragontse who owns Dread Sports in Baltimore and the New Jersey Squash Club in Princeton. Ntshebe said parents were involved in raising funds for their children. “We tried to secure sponsorship from the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) unfortunately we were informed that there was no money.
We appealed to them that this is not just a trip, it is more academic than sport. These girls have to move to the next level of their squash careers. University and college presentations will be done at this event and we need them to be part of that. We have talented players. It is only that we never sacrifice to present them and when there are opportunities available for the taking, we are told there is no money,” said the disappointed Ntshebe. For his part, Ragontse said he wants to teach Batswana to become winners. “That is the ultimate goal.
Changing the mindset step by step, achieving small milestones and challenging oneself to achieve the best one can. I have seen success since I started sponsoring Batswana players to come train, play and prove themselves that they can compete at the highest level,” he said.
Ragontse said the goal is to have players come to his academy in the USA and make a choice of being professional or playing in college and enhancing their education while playing sport. "I want to give them opportunities to make the choice they feel is the right one for them. Then after succeeding, I will help more Batswana to make the same choice,” he said.
Ragontse is well-recognised around the world for his accomplishments and achievements in the sport of squash. In addition to being a world-renowned player, he is also a well-respected coach. The players: Neo Phatsima (Under-17), Leungo Katse (Under-19) and Angel Otshabeng (Under-19).
