13 Mar 2024

Botswana Tennis national team kick off their first games on Friday at the ongoing African games, in Accra, Ghana.

A team of four players; Denzel Seetso, Mark Nawa, Chelsea Chakanyuka and Kelebogile Monnayoo arrived in Accra on Tuesday, as part of acclamatasing to the hot and humid condition. Players will be competing in the single and doubles.

 In an interview they said they were well prepared for the games.

Coach Petrus Molefe said he was confident that the players were ready, adding that before coming to Accra, they had a tournament in South Africa, which he said helped him to see where to focus during training.

He said the tournament was a final preparatory face for the games, hence he was confident that the players were ready. He said Denzel who only met the team in Accra was also ready and his fitness level was at par with team-mate.

‘ We have not been training with Seetso, remember he is based in USA, but we have been following his programme, to ensure that he was in good shape like the rest of the team,” he said.

Chakanyuka said she was well prepared for the games and playing South Africa tournament helped her gauge her readiness.

“The tournament has helped me to see my strength and the toughness of other opponents, and I think I am much ready, therefore Batswana should expect a good performance from me, the plan obviously is to win, so hopefully I will do better,” she said.

Monnayoo on other hand said she had been training two time a day coupled with a lot of practice matches. She said she was prepared for the games, adding, hot and humid condition would not deter her execute her game plan, given that back home, the weather conditions were also not favorable.

Nawa said he was looking forward to the games, adding that he also been preparing well, and what was now left was to execute in the courts.

He said during the tournament in South Africa, he managed to make it to the finals in the doubles, paired with his friend from South Africa therefore his mission would be to surpass his last performance.

“Even in the singles it was not a bad performance, though I did not come tops, I feel I have prepared very well,” he said.

Though he expects a tough Accra tournament with good competition, Seetso said he had been active in preparing for the games, “At the end of the day, I am here to compete and do my best, remember the country has set a target medal, and expectations are that tennis will contribute in ensuring that Botswana attain the target,” he said.  ENDS