Africa-Press – Botswana. Africa tennis governing body has once again shown confidence in Botswana by giving the county the rights to host the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Confederation of African Tennis (CAT)/14 and under, Grade II tournament, which will be in two legs at the National Tennis Centre in Gaborone.
The first leg of the tournament will be held from June 14 to 17, while the second leg will be from June 18 to 21.
This comes after Botswana successfully hosted the same tournament, with local tennis player, Malak Macheng being the toast of the tournament, as she delivered the first ever ITF /CAT under 14 circuit girls singles gold medal, after beating Rutendo Tom of Zimbabwe back-to-back.
Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) president, Oaitse Thipe said in an interview that some of the countries that would be competing in Botswana are Algeria, Cameroon, Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe.
He said the tournament is important for local players, given that it gives them exposure, and the chance to play with their peers at a tender age.
He said the players get points that would help them to qualify for continental championships amongst them the Africa Junior Championships that would be played in September.
Thipe said the players also stand to qualify for the Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship, which would be hosted in Florida, USA, in December if they finish in the top three in the continent.
He said the other tournament they could qualify for is the ‘Les Petits As’ tournament in Tarbes, France, where the top tennis players compete before they make their mark in international circuits.
According to Thipe, Ntungamili Raguin, Rafael Nadal, Coco Gauff and Serena William are some of the players who competed at the ‘Les Petits As’, adding that it is the premier under 14 tournament. He said the tournament would boost the country’s sport tourism.
“If you look at the players coming here, they would be using our airline, and hotels. That alone is foreign revenue coming to the country, and this is what we need in our quest to diversify the economy,” he said.
The girls’ team comprises the defending champion Macheng, Camila Seetso, Reene Sebego, Angel Chakanyuka, Rerotlhe Kgannyeng, Jun Ya Wang, Rethabile Gontlafetse, Leungo Mabutho and Ateng Rankunyane.
The boys’ team is made up of Tinashe Phatshwane, Tlape Lebone, Rorisang Obuseng, Letso Mesotlo, Moshe Lekaukau, Francesco Brink, Kgotso Kejakan, Ilhan Khilji, Thobo Tsima, Motheo Kgosimore and Reagile Pence.
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