13 Jul 2014

Motor Centre which has been sponsoring Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) Open for the last 14 years has now increased its sponsorship from P113 035 to P160 000.

The prize money has also been increased from last year’s P76 035 to P110 000 to attract players from other countries in the region, according to the principal dealer at Motor Centre, Zaheera Essof.

Launching the sponsorship and handing over the cheque to BTA at the National Tennis Centre on Friday, Essof said it was the responsibility of the private sector together with other stakeholders to work hand in hand to assist the government to take sport to another level in Botswana.

She said Motor Centre believed that sport particularly tennis played an integral role in building a nation. “We believe that sport can contribute to develop responsible citizens in any country,” she said.

Essof said she believed the organisers would ensure that the tournament was conducted in a professional manner and in line with international standards.

“It is important for us as a sponsor to see the number of junior players increasing and obtaining the required exposure and experience which enables them to compete at international levels,” she said. 

Also, giving his remarks during the launch, BTA president, Nelson Amanze expressed his appreciation over Motor Centre’s continued support towards tennis.

He said this year they wanted the money to remain in Botswana because local players have been preparing for the tournament. He said they promised Motor Centre that they would do the best they can to make it the best tournament ever. 

The tournament will run from July 19 to 22 and it will feature the singles for men and women, mixed doubles, the veterans as well as an under-12 and under-14 age group category.

The winner of the men’s singles will pocket P10 000 an increase from last year’s P7 200 while the winner of the women’s singles will get P6 000 from last year’s P4 600.

The tournament is the biggest annual tennis event in Botswana and it will attract tennis players from the Southern African region like Lesotho, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique and Namibia. ENDS