Selebi-Phikwe tennis sensation, Innocent Tidimane’s stay at the Pretoria High Performance Centre. The 13 year old has been at the centre since 2010. The sponsorship is extended every year if the player excels. Tidimane’s former coach, Wellington Sibanda, told Mmegi Sport that it took passion and determination for the player to get the sponsorship. Sibanda said the young tennis star caught the eyes of ITF scouts when he represented Botswana during the Under-12 tournament played in South Africa in 2009.
“Tidimane’s move to South Africa has motivated other Selebi-Phikwe players. Most of them want to excel in the sport and want to see themselves in the same position as him. It is now easy to guide them in the right direction,” said Sibanda. He said one of his players, Emmanuel Mabechu, is having so great a game that he has qualified for the Africa Junior Tennis Championships to be held in Egypt in April. Reneilwe Selema has also qualified. Sibanda said preparations for the continental junior tournament are at an advanced stage.
