Junior tennis team finishes third in Namibia
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday January 22, 2025 06:00
The week-long competition ended on Saturday. South Africa won gold in the boys' Under-14 competition followed by Zimbabwe. South Africa are also the champions for the boys Under-16 category with Zimbabwe again the silver medalists. It was the same pattern in the girls Under-14 competition. Dominant South Africa also won the Under-16 girls gold medal while Botswana finished in position six.
However, local players did not do well in individual events. Reagile Diraditsile was the only player who managed to reach the quarter finals in both the singles and doubles. He partnered with compatriot, Tyson Anderson, to reach the doubles quarter finals. Gold medal hopeful, Malak Macheng lost in the second round of the individual tournament to a South African opponent in the girls’ Under-14. She reached the doubles semi finals with her long time partner, Angel Chakanyuka.
The Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) president, Oaitse Thipe, told SportMonitor that the team put up a good performance but next year they should bring the gold medal. “It is good because in Under 14s, the players have two more years and next year they should get gold when we host the Zonal in January 2026. Regarding preparations, our players finished the year playing national championships after the ITF/CAT Under-14s and after New Year they went into camp before they left for Namibia,” Thipe said.
The teams Girls Under-14: Malak Macheng, Angel Chakanyuka, Camilla Seetso and Rerotlhe Kgannyeng-alternate. Boys Under-14: Tinashe Phatswane, Kgotso Kejakang, Lebone Tlape and Rorisang Obuseng-alternate. Girls Under-16: Bashali Phatswane, Ditshegofatso Bapaletswe, Nelisiwe Tsima and Jemima Makhumalo-alternate. Boys Under-16: Reagile Diraditsile, Tyson Anderson, Kefentse Lekaukau and Kabo Kedisang-alternate.