The tournament, which starts on May Day and runs until the 8th, will involve Zone 4.3 member countries of Angola, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Comoros Islands, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Lesotho, Mauritius and Swaziland. Nine players will represent Botswana in the competition. The Botswana team is a mixture of both young and experienced players. Among the youngest girls in the team are the Francis sisters, Thapelo and Onkemetse.
The 18-year-old Thapelo will represent the country in the Under-21 category while her sister is a reserve. Other members of the women's team are Women International Master Boikhutso Mudongo, Women Grand Master Tuduetso Sabure, and Women International Master Tshepiso Lopang. In the men's section, International Master Providence Oatlhotse, Fide Master, Ignatius Njobvu, Candidate Master, Thabo Gumpo, Thato Olebile and Goabaone Tangane will represent the country in the Open category. Save for the host country each country is allowed only three players for each event. According to BCF secretary general Keenese Katisenge, they roped have in young players to give them international exposure. She added that they expect the tried and tested players like Oatlhotse and Njobvu to win medals for Botswana. The tournament will be played on a round swiss system.
