BTA targets four spots at regional tourney
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday January 8, 2016 12:11
The Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) expects to secure at least four spots for the continental qualifiers.
Last year, Botswana managed to secure only two spots from the regional tournament. “The under 12’s will not be participating at the continental tournament.
We are aiming to secure four spots, which is about 60 percent of the whole squad,” said BTA sports development officer, Mthambazo Sibanda.
Sibanda said the team was in camp between December 12 and 18 before breaking for Christmas.
They resumed training on January 3. “I can’t really say much about the fitness and the readiness of our players as most of them are still in the same shape as they were before the break,” he said.
BTA secretary general, Boikobo Gaolebalwe said he has lots of faith in the team as most of the players have participated in regional tournaments before.
“There is no doubt that the team can bring results. They have performed in tournaments of this magnitude before. They know what it is expected of them,” he said.
The 12 players will participate in the Under-12, Under-14 and the Under-16 age categories. Batsumi Marobela and Denzel Seetso form part of the Under-12 boys’ team, while Annabel Gaetsaloe and Leungo Monnayoo are in the Under-12 girls’ team.
The Under-14 team consists of South African-based Tshegofatso Tsiang and Thato Madikwe, who are part of the girls’ team.
The Under-16 team will be represented by Tshepo Mosarwa and Thato Holmes in the boys category, while Marang Makolo and Reneilwe Selema form the girl’s team.
Meanwhile, Gaolebalwe said the BTA has joined the Botswana Primary Schools Association (BOPSSA) and this will help in developing the sport from the grassroots level since the association is having financial constraints.
“We have lots of development programmes, which the association cannot afford to exercise now due to the financial situation. So joining BOPSSA will in some way help us to carry the burden in terms of competitions,” he said.
Gaolebalwe said the BTA sent two officials to a level two officiating course in Cape Town, but only one passed.
“Gaone Powane passed a level two course. She is now an internationally recognised official. We also sent Tshiamo Lesonya to a level two coaching course in Zimbabwe,” he said.
He applauded South African-based young sensation Tsiang for her sterling performances in the previous year.
The youngster moved 251 places up, from 1,931st spot to 1,680th spot in the regional junior rankings, which is one of the highest by a local athlete.