ITF circuit final leg moves to Gaborone

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Friday August 7, 2009 00:00

The first two legs were held in Windhoek, Namibia last month. Botswana will field 20 players in the tournament organised by the ITF and the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT). Under-18 players in both boys and girls categories from 22 African countries are expected to take part in the event.

In the first two legs of the circuit, eight players - four boys and four girls - represented Botswana.

The girls were Katlego Gouwe, Tshegofatso Sekgopi, Ivy Marobe and Olebogeng Manopolo while Lame Botshoma, Aobakwe Lekang, Kutlo Bosilong and Dimpho Legoreng were in the boys' team.

Top seed Jarryd Botha and Natasha Fouroulaclas both of South Africa, Nanne-Sophie Rufyikiri and Niriantsa Rasomalala from Madagascar are expected to take part in the competition that ends next week.

Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) sports development officer, Mthandzo Sibanda said despite the financial challenges, the country will host the event.

He said they would have liked to host other circuit legs but were hamstrung by finances. Sibanda said CAT and ITF only meets 25 percent of the hosting expenses.

He stated that it is imperative that Botswana hosts a tournament of this magnitude, as it will give players exposure against the continent's best.   The host country has the advantage of fielding players who have not qualified for the circuit. 

Sibanda is optimistic that Botswana players will do well though he said they did not have much exposure and experience compared to their South African counterparts. Players will use the tournament to improve their junior world ranking.