24 Nov 2024

Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) hosted a successful two-week CAT under 14 circuit, which took place in Gaborone.

During the circuit, Botswana won two gold, girls singles medal courtesy of 12 year-old Malak Macheng and two gold doubles medals by Malak and Angela Chakanyuka.

Botswana’s Tinashe Phatshwane, who paired with Zimbabwean Muchengeti Manzungu, also bagged a gold medal in the boys’ doubles.

BTA vice president, Nonofo Othusitse said in an interview that the event was a great two weeks of tennis since they successfully hosted two legs of the Confederation of African Tennis 14 and Under Circuit.

The circuit, he said was an opportunity for the players to be ranked in the CAT rankings and also gave them international exposure which in the long run improved their standard of play.

“We are happy with the overall tournament experience. Players were from Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe in addition to Botswana. In terms of entries, we had 28 players in the boys’ draws and 18 of them were local players. In the girls' draw, we had a total of 18 players of which 11 were local,” he said.

Othusitse said local players were impressive with the boys reaching the quarterfinals in the singles and ending with a gold medalist in Tinashe Phatshwane in the boys’ doubles.

The girls, he said were equally good with Malak winning the girls’ singles championships back to back.

He said Malak also partnered with Angel Chakanyuka to win doubles championship back to back.

“We are expecting a number of our players who had no CAT rankings to be ranked post this event. We are also expecting huge improvements on individual players' rankings. It's now possible that we might have a top 10 ranked player in Malak Macheng.,” he said.

Othusitse said they planned to host more tournaments next year, in line with their strategy and that of the Botswana National Sport Commission which included improving hosting of international events.

“When we host, we reduce costs that our players incur since they don't have to travel outside the country which is quite expensive,” he said. ends