26 Aug 2015

Tennis players from across the country, flocked to Orapa for the first ever launched tennis junior open national championship over the weekend. 

The tournament attracted a total of 45 participants categorised in under 10s, 12s boys and girls, while under 16s were only boys.

A round robin group stages system was used in the singles and doubles categories. 

However, some players found themselves playing a competitive tournament for the first time.

In the under 8 girls red ball singles category, Jemina Makhumalo beat Bashali Phatshwane 10-5 claiming the gold medal, while in the boys under 10s orange balls, Ntungamili defeated Labo Ndlovu 6-4.

The under 10s girls orange ball saw Letang Gasi giving Bangu Moekeso 6-4 beating. 

In the under-12s girls’ singles, national number one junior player, Leungo Monnayoo faced her rival, Atshene Phatshwane. Leungo put Atshene under pressure with her aggressive ball striking.

Leungo’s good form continued and proved too strong for Atshene and claimed the title with 6-0, 6-2 win.

Leungo has won regional and national tournaments.   

The much anticipated, under 12s boys’ singles final between Lesedi Raquin and Bogosi Nkolonyane saw both players playing excellent shots and moving each other around the court, putting on a great tennis match for the spectators.

Lesedi served well and made the best of his forehand to win 6-2, 6-4.

The match lasted up to two hours, with Lesedi finally walking away with a medal while Bogosi got runners up medal.

The last final singles was under 16s boys, which was a one-sided affair with Thato Holmes winning comfortably over Katlego with 6-0, 6-0.

In the doubles’ final, Bonolo Motopa pairing with Jeason Tefo beat Bampoloki Mosupi and Ofentse Muchinjeko by 8-4 in under 10s boys .

The under 12s girls category was scooped by Leungo and her partner, Atshene after registering 6-2, 6-3 over Lesedi Mabusa and Ayanda Mbulawa. 

The two had a great partnership and won themselves gold medal The under 12s boys gold medal was won by Bogosi and Sherlock Holmes after hammering Sean Tefo and Katlego Bashe 6-0,6-1.

 The next tournament will be held from September 3-5 at Francistown. Macsha Makhumalo, a coach at Orapa Tennis Club was impressed by the standard of play that was displayed by the players.

He also hailed the parents for their continuous support in the growth of the sport. 

However, he pleaded with clubs that were not active to have junior structures in order to nurture children’s potential at grassroots level. The Orapa Tennis Club chairman, Tefo Tefo raised a concern over lack of sponsors.

Nonetheless, he praised the Botswana Tennis Association for sponsoring the tournament with medals and tennis balls. 

He further praised his new committee for the good work, adding that they were only three months in office and were already hosting the tournament. They plan to have the tournament every year. Ends