Francistown dominate tennis Open
Koketso Kgoboge | Wednesday September 27, 2017 14:16
The young tennis players, both males and females competed in the Under-10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 categories.
National team sensation, Leungo Monnayoo, 13, from BDF Donga Tennis Club was the toast of the tournament.
Monnayoo is the best local Under-14 player with countless regional and local titles under her belt.
At 13, the Donga Junior Secondary School student was thrown into the Under-18 bracket, but she still managed to bag gold medals in the singles and doubles.
“I was confident coming into the competition and I needed the challenge against the players older than me and I am happy I emerged victorious in all my games,” Monnayoo said.
Her partner in the doubles Atshene Phatshwane, 12, of John McKenzie English Medium who walked away with three gold medals in the Under-14 singles and doubles, and in the Under-18 doubles, was equally elated.
“I feel good and I am proud because I have improved,” she said.
“Our partnership comes a long way and we have got gold in almost all the local competitions we took part in. I believe if we keep working hard we will meet our goals of playing professional tennis one day.”
The hosts won 18 medals out of a possible 35 with seven gold medals, six silver medals and five bronze medals.
Other gold medals for the hosts came from the boys’ Under-12 singles, Under-14 and Under-10 doubles.
The local organising committee chairperson, Lashani Madubeko said the tournament was well staged and completed with fewer hiccups.
He said they are disappointed at the dwindling numbers and next season they will introduce the seniors section to increase participation. “We are starting the ground work for the next edition as soon as now. The numbers have gone down but, I believe introducing the elders open to the competition will improve the number of the youngsters.”
FNB Botswana and Sefalana Holdings sponsored the annual tournament. Madubeko said they would need more sponsors in the next edition to include the seniors’ open.