A new era sweeps through local tennis

Source : Kutlwano

Author : Anastacia Sibanda

Location : Gaborone

Event : Interview

A chapter of renewed purpose, bold ambition and collective commitment to elevate the sport to greater heights is sweeping through the tennis corridors. 

Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) has over the past few years been fine-tuning clear and structured pathways aimed at providing smooth and continuous transition of players from junior ranks to elite competitions. 

Amongst others, the strategy entails a deliberate plan to host junior competitions accredited by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in order to create opportunities for local players. 

Through this drive, several World Tennis Tour Juniors competitions have been held at the National Tennis Centre in Gaborone.

These include the 18 and under, 16 and under, as well as the 14 and under tournaments, featuring local and international players. 

The tournaments have provided local young players with the much-needed international exposure, tougher competition and the accumulation of world ranking points.

The local payers’ accumulation of ranking points has resulted in recognized international rankings, which has in turn attracted scholarship opportunities from colleges in the United States of America. 

Capitalizing on these available scholarship opportunities, BTA has sent its promising young talent to US College Tennis using the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) Elite Scholarship Programme. 

These efforts have resulted with a growing number of talented student-athletes from Botswana competing in various college tennis divisions in the US. 

BTA believes the move would eventually help players enter the professional tennis level. 

Players such as Denzel Seetso, Ekua Refilwe Youri, Mark Nawa, Esi Molefe, Seabo Saleshando, Batsomi Marobela, Chelsea Chakanyuka, and Leungo Monnayoo, are a clear indication that, when they are exposed to the right level of competition and guidance, local young tennis players are capable of competing globally.

Their success in accessing college scholarships also shows that tennis can open doors not only professionally, but academically as well.

When one looks at the performance of these players, it is very clear that hosting ITF Juniors events locally was a brilliant strategic decision, which allowed players to earn international ranking points and compete under high global standards without enduring heavy travelling costs. 

To successfully progress from college to the elite level, players are required to participate in senior international competitions. 

In recognition of this, BTA has made yet another strategic decision to host professional tennis events on home soil, beginning with the ITF World Tennis Tour Gaborone M15 and W15 tournaments, which were held in Gaborone in May.

These events will provide Botswana players with crucial opportunities to earn ITF senior ranking points, essential for entry to higher-level professional competitions. ENDS