Mogomotsi Moloi
14 March 2008
Gaborone — All eyes will be on Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) when it hosts the 31st International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Confederation of Africa Tennis (CAT) Junior Championships that kicks-off in Gaborone on Monday.
This is the second time BTA is hosting the prestigious event in consecutive years. Last year, less fancied Botswana finished 12th out of more than 30 countries in attendance. The BTA is adamant that the junior will improve the record though it might remain a dream to win the title given the poor preparations.
BTA secretary general Nelson Amanze admitted that last year they did not fare well but now they are determined to impress. He said they understand that the nation will be watching them in the coming two weeks. "We believe that the team is prepared and we hope to get good results," he said. But he was worried that the players did not assemble on time because of school commitments. Hence, the players failed to hold intensive trainings together.
Primary schools have been engaged in sports activities and it has become difficult for teachers to release players for national duty training. The junior tennis team held only one international training camp in South Africa last weekend. BTA is expected to field 24 players, 14 boys and 10 girls. Amanze explained that they have drawn players from places like Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe, Maun and Jwaneng. The BTA secretary general said they do not have an active coaching programme except Selebi-Phikwe and Gaborone. He pleaded with Batswana to cooperate with BTA for the tournament to be a success. He emphasised that this is an international event that must be given priority by all and compromises are needed.
He told Mmegi Sport that the preparations to accommodate visiting players and officials have progressed well. "I believe that we have covered all the basics that are needed in preparation for the visiting teams. We have prepared enough accommodation, food and transport, thanks to local sponsors. We are now facilitating the visa issues but it would soon be finalised," he said yesterday. He added that progress has been affected by fire at the offices of the Department of Sports and Recreation (DSR) recently. Amanze pointed out that they are working round the clock to finalise tournament logistics before the end of today. "DSR has been helpful to us and we have one of their officers in the local organising committee to see to it that things are put in order before the big event on Monday," he told Mmegi Sport.
The event takes place from March 17-30 at BTA and University of Botswana (UB) courts. It has three stages. It starts with qualifiers for the international junior championship in the first week. The second week is strictly for Africans to decide the continental junior champion. The last stage is dedicated to continental qualifiers for Davis Cup and World Junior Championships.
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