Ntungamili's relentless push for junior slam
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 130 Views |
Ntungamili Raguin.PIC.BTA
Raguin won his first World ITF J100 title in Algeria beating Amaury Abbas of France 6-0,7-6 in the singles finals. It was his fifth singles career title which sees him with three J30 and one J60 triumph. Raguin has won three titles in 2025, including an individual J60 and a doubles win in Egypt. In Algiers, Raguin reached the singles finals after he defeated Tunisian Azziz Missaoui 6-2, 6-0 in the semifinals.
The 16-year-old is ranked 296 as of May 12, but is expected to go up the ladder when new rankings are released this week. He reached his career high ranking of 250 in February. With good performances, he is expected to move closer to the top 200 and enhance his chances of a maiden appearance at a junior grand slam. No Botswana player has played in the junior grand slam. Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) president, Oaitse Thipe said Raguin's progress will inspire other upcoming players. "It is very good to have a local player close to playing the grand slam. He will surely market our country as a great destination for sports tourism and will also inspire upcoming players under 10 and 12," Thipe said. Meanwhile, Rethabile Moshaoa won the World ITF J30 doubles title in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, with Milan Swanepoel of South Africa.
It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...