18 Nov 2024

The ITF/CAT under 14 circuit hosted by Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) has attracted a good number of players.

Speaking on the side lines of the ongoing first leg of the tournament, which started on Saturday and will end today, BTA vice president, Nonofo Othusitse said they had registered 28 boys while the number of girls was slightly low at only 19.

He however said looking at the under 14 standard event, the number of girls was satisfactory.

Othusitse said there had been many attempts to host the event without success.

“This event will help us because when our players move from under 12 to under 14, they can be ranked under Confederation of African Tennis,” he said and explained that those who would reach the second round and the finals would get some points.

What that meant, he said, was that by end of the year, they would be having a large number of Batswana who were ranked under Confederation of African Tennis (CAT).

“That alone is important to Botswana Tennis Association, to have a pool of players who are ranked. Remember when CAT events are hosted, players qualify by rank,” said Othusitse.

Events such as Africa Junior Championships under 14 and under 16 are entered by ITF /CAT under 14 circuit rankings, to select players who would make it to the main draw.

In that regard, Othusitse said it was important for Botswana players to play many under 14 circuits, so that they accumulated more points.

Furthermore, he said ITF /CAT under 14 circuit in Africa was mostly played in countries such as Tunisia and Morocco, adding that it was always expensive for players to go and compete there.

However, he said this year, Namibia hosted the circuit and Botswana was the second nation in Southern Africa to host.

“So hosting the circuit in Botswana is cheaper for the players and it gives us advantage to enter a lot of them in the draw and we also have a wild card option to enter two players, so those are benefits for hosting the circuit,” he said.

Othusitse said the circuit also gave players exposure, given that at the under 12 most of the time, they played locally or in South Africa but the under 14 circuit had given them an opportunity to play international matches.

Meanwhile, in the girls singles game played on Saturday, Malak Macheng qualified for the ITF /CAT under 14 girls’ single quarter final after winning 6-0, 6-0 against Ya Wang.

Macheng, who got a bye said she was happy with her performance and hoped to make it to the final.

Rerotlhe Kgannyeng proceeded to the round of 16 after winning 6-0, 6-0 against Ahane Iyer, while in the boys singles Lebone Tlape qualified to the round of 16 after beating Ihan Khiji 6-2, 3-6, 15-13.

Rorisang Obuseng also qualified after beating compatriot, Motheo Kgosimore 6-0, 6-2 while Namibia’s Jihan Theron eliminated Tendai Nawa after winning g 6-1,6-0. ENDS