BTA to launch wheelchair tennis
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday April 17, 2015 14:46
BTA president, Nelson Amanze told a press conference on Wednesday that the association would launch wheelchair tennis in the inaugural Euphemia Tlhabane tournament. Amanze said they were grateful to launch such an initiative in the country as it brings out the essence of the sports, which does not discriminate whether an individual is physically disadvantaged or not.
Amanze, however, said the wheelchair tennis would not be played this year as at the moment they did not have players, but only individuals who have shown interest in the sport. “We had engaged a professional wheelchair tennis player from South Africa to conduct a one-day workshop at Molepolole Centre for people living with disability and there are people who have shown interest in the sport,” he said.
Amanze, who is also the vice-president of Confederation of African Tennis (CAT), further said wheelchair tennis was mainly geared towards development as the chairs they have at the moment can accommodate people between the ages of six and 18.
For his part, the BTA secretary general, Boikobo Gaolebalwe said the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have sent 15 wheelchairs and they have not had any other donations.
He also said the ITF have sent other equipment such as a progressional ball, which is a bit slower than the normal tennis ball.
“The ITF had also sent experts to teach us how to use these new equipment and we are in partnership with Paralympics Association of Botswana (PASSOBO) as these are people who deal with our players everyday,” he said. Registration of players for the Euphemia Tlhabane tournament starts next Friday, while the qualifiers will be played the following day. The actual tournament is to run from the April 27 to May 2. The tournament, which has attracted players from as far as Brazil, Greece, Italy and Russia, is recognised by the ITF.
This means players will be looking to accumulate points in order to improve their rankings.