The 2007 Botswana Open Tennis Championships kicks-off on Saturday with entries from Zambia and Swaziland. The tourney is once again sponsored by Motor Centre Botswana. The company has rolled out P65,000 for the tournament. This is the sixth year Motor Centre is sponsoring the annual event.

It is so far the longest partnership between the company and Botswana Tennis Association (BTA). At the time of going to press, Zambians Edgar Kazembe, Henry Banda, Mwiza Gondwe, Gift Hangwengwe and Miriam Zulu had confirmed participation while Masizane Ntshangase, Bruce Ghama, Joseph Mabuza and Mbongeni Nxumalo will represent Swaziland.

Entries from Lesotho, South Africa, and Namibia are yet to be received. Batswana will be represented by Kagiso Kelebeile, Ernest Seleke, Matshidiso Malope, Bakang Mosinyi, Bayani Moilwa, Tshepang Tlhankane and Matshidiso Mosinyi. Katlego Gouwe and Koketso Leshope are the Botswana women in the competition.

Mojahi Kgari, Lighting Masale, Ray Molelekeng, Peter Nthele and Kobus Bierman will battle for the veterans' title. Phenyo Matong and Lesotho Nthabiseng Nqosa will not be defending their titles as they are committed in USA and the All Africa Games (AAG).

The tennis open will be featuring the men and women singles, men and women doubles as well the veterans' event. First and second round matches will be played on Saturday, quarterfinals on Sunday while the semis are scheduled for Monday. The finals will be played on Tuesday.

The men's singles winner will get P3, 500 while the best woman gets P2,250.

The BTA has thanked Motor Centre for financing the event - the only senior competition in the country where budding stars get a chance to pit their wits against experienced players from the region.