02 Oct 2013

Botswana’s tennis star Phenyo Matong was crowned the Francistown Open men’s singles winner over the Independence Day holidays after a gruelling 7-5, 6-3 high stakes game against Thabiso Mabaka.

The tennis championship was played for over four days and saw him go home P2500 richer. The sixth edition of tournament which attracted players from as far as Zimbabwe, Gaborone, Selebi-Phikwe, Serowe, Orapa and Tutume was played at the Francistown club, John Mackenzie and Francistown College of Technical Vocational education.

It also included the ladies open, the juniors and the veteran’s category.

In an interview after the tournament, Matong said that the tournament went well and noted that he triumphed because he had played more tournaments that were of a higher standard prior to the Francistown Open.

Though the level of competition was good, he appealed for more support so that players could prepare well for such competitions. Recently, he highlighted that he had played in world ranking tournament in Gabon and moved 400 places in the ATP world rankings.

Also, he mentioned that the fact that a lot of players from Gaborone participated in the tournament ensured that the standard was good even though the prize money was low.

“In ten days’ time I will be competing in the Malawi Open and thereafter the Zambian Open. After these two I will also focus on world ranking tournaments around December,” he said. He applauded the Botswana Tennis Association for taking such tournaments outside Gaborone to give other players an opportunity to compete at the highest level. This, he noted, would avoid a situation where the national team was made up of Gaborone players only.

For his part, the silver medalist, Mabaka explained that though he lost the match he thought that he played well as he managed to recover well during the game due to experience. However, he noted that his preparations were not good as they were interrupted by school work. In addition, he noted that he was not sure if he would be able to participate in any upcoming tournaments as he would be preparing for examinations at the Botswana Accountancy College where he is a student.

The women’s singles category was won by Zimbabwean Pauline Chawafambira who pocketed P1200 after defeating Olebogeng Manopolo in the final. The under 12 girls singles was won by Thato Madikwe who saw off Amantle Dishebo who bagged a silver medal.

In the under 12 boys singles, Shash Rangaswamy won gold while Shane Tapera and Mahim Mendis got silver and bronze respectively. In the under 12 boy’s doubles, Tatenda and Mahim captured gold at the expense of Taelo and Rangaswamy.

Kelebogile Monnayoo won gold in the under 14 girl’s singles while Thato Madikwe and Thandi Kololo won silver and bronze respectively. In the under 14 boys singles Tshepo Mosarwa walked away with gold, Angadh Rai got silver and Shash Rangaswamy settled for bronze.

In the under 16 girls singles, Sharon Moepedi won gold, Mosamarea Monyatsi got silver and Kelebogile Monnayoo got bronze. In the under 16 boys, Zaid Imitiaz emerged triumphant while Tshepo Mosarwa and Olepile Oye got silver and bronze respectively. Olepile Oye won the under 18 gold medal, Bongani Masesane got silver while Phenyo Nchenje settled for bronze.

Mthandazo Sibanda won the veterans singles men open and got P600, while the runner up was OB Seth who got P400. Botswana National Sports Council sports development officer, Mthandazo Sibanda highlighted in an interview that he was pleased with the performance of the players and the fact that the tournament attracted players from other areas, which he said indicated the growth of the sport.

He also said that it was clear from the skills of the players that the coaches had the technical knowledge needed for success. “Parental support was also key in this tournament and we also urge stakeholders to assist in the running of such tournaments,” he mentioned.

Sibanda explained that unlike other sporting codes running a tennis tournament was expensive as it took days, hence accommodation, equipment and other logistics required more funding.

Consequently, he said institutions such as BISA and BOPSSA should do more to partner with BTA in such tournaments. “Some children from Orapa and Serowe and Orapa came on their own but we expect such institutions to be at the forefront when it comes to mobilisation and supporting them in such instances. We would have got more players if there was enough mobilisation,” he noted.

From the group that participated in the Francistown Open, Sibanda explained that they would select some of the players for training camps and trials in preparation for the Africa Youth Games which would be hosted by the country next year. ENDS