The team is taking part in the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT)/International Tennis Federation (ITF) continental tournament. The tournament started on Saturday (July 6) and comes to an end tomorrow (July 9). The tournament is attended by players from Namibia (hosts), Egypt, Kenya, Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) president, Oaitse Thipe, told SportMonitor that they have sent a team of 11 players to the tournament, five players from Francistown while six players are based in Gaborone. He explained that the players are the best Under-14 boys and girls in the country and they are expected to be the tournament champions.
Thipe said having players from outside Gaborone in the team is an indication that the BTA’s development programme is bearing fruits. “Some of the players have just been selected for the national Under-12 team that will play a regional tournament in Mozambique end of July. The CAT/ITF tournament ends on Tuesday. From there they will play another tournament starting on Wednesday until Saturday. This tournament is very important, it carries continental points to qualify for the African Junior Championships Under-14, which will be played on clay courts,” he said.
Thipe said they would like to see the youngsters becoming the best following in the footsteps of Denzel Seetso, Chelsea Chakanyuka who were recently crowned Singles champions. The two were crowned champions at the Botswana Open Tennis Championship, Kelebogile Monnayoo (Women’s Doubles champion together with Chakanyuka), and Mark Nawa (Men’s Doubles champion together with Seetso. He said the local tennis flagship tournament was a huge success despite failing to attract many sponsors but 80 competitors battled it out from South Africa, Botswana and Eswatini. “We strive to substantially increase the prize money for the tournament as part of the roadmap to upgrade it to an ITF World Tennis Tour event and present it as a must attend event in the tennis calendar for participants and fans,” he added.
Results: Boys Singles: Tunashe Phatshwane beat Letso Luyanda Mesotlho (Botswana) 6-1, 6-0. Wincott Semaka beat Moshe Lekaukau (Botswana) 6-1, 6-3. Rorisang Obuseng beat Jaden Van Der Westhuizen (Namibia) 7-5, 6-4. Lebone Tlape beat Letang Mosothwane (Botswana) 6-1, 3-6 and 10-7. Girls Singles: Malak Macheng beat Naila Gikunda 6-1, 6-0 (Namibia). Angela Chakanyuka beat Naila Gikunda (Kenya) 6-1, 6-0 . Rerothe Kgannyeng lost to Claira Joanna Majeye (Zimbabwe). Katlo Sento lost to Secilia Nghitewapo (Namibia) 3-6, 3-6.
