Francistown hosts inaugural open tennis event

ISAAC PHEKO
Correspondent | Friday October 3, 2008 00:00

 

One of the tournament sponsors and Francistown businessman, Vadakkeymadam Murthy said that the event was conceived one and a half months ago by the residents and their friends from Masunga. 'We realised that there was a serious dearth of tennis competitions in this part of the country. This group of dedicated individuals took it upon themselves to ensure that they organise this inaugural championship,' said Murthy.
The tournament had 75 players with competitors in senior and junior categories. Murthy said that such tournaments have been the preserve of Gaborone for a long time. 'However, since last year, we have experienced such developments in Masunga and this year we had the Masunga Tennis Open for the second time.

This championship has challenged other districts to come up with similar events. I am reliably informed that Molepolole residents are planning to have one soon,' Murthy stated.
He said that such competitions target all participants regardless of origin, race, sex and other differences. 'Tennis development has rolled out to several areas in Botswana. To date tennis has been introduced in seven primary schools in the north.

These are Mosojane, Vukwi, Zwenshambe, Masunga, kalakamati, Letsholathebe, Gungwe and Mulanbakwena. In Francistown, there are the likes of Mophato, John Mackenzie, Clifton, Donga Secondary School and Francistown Senior Secondary School. We expect to see more schools coming on board next year,' Murthy added.

'I challenge all of us today especially parents to encourage youth to play tennis, teachers to form tennis clubs at schools and veterans to register more tennis clubs in Francistown.

As you are all aware tennis like any other sports, instils a sense of discipline that is one of our four Ds. Tennis also provides an alternative purposeful recreational or professional activity for youths by keeping them away from delinquent and undesirable habits,' he said.

The Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) chairman Tuelo Serufo said no umpires officiated at the Francistown Open and players had to keep the scores because the International Tennis Federation (ITF) wanted to encourage virtues like discipline, honesty and fair play in the game. Serufo explained that there were roving umpires who kept an eye on players who try to cheat.

 The sponsors of the tournament include Tati Nickel Mining Company, Francistown Toyota, Korean Auto Services, Tati River Lodge, Coversure Insurance, Honest Investments, Kagiso Funeral Parlour, Thusanyo Funeral Parlour, Barclays Bank and Star Pak. In the men's finals on Tuesday, Kitso Leshope beat Thabiso Mabaka 6-4, 6-0. Leshope pocketed P1,150 while Mabaka walked away with P750. In the women's finals Ingrid Mickesfield beat Tshidiso Mosinyi 6-4,6-1. Mickesfield pocketed P830 while Mosinyi received P530.