18 Apr 2022

The tennis match played over the weekend between President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and Mozambique counterpart, President Filipe Nyusi’s entourage is symbolic of the friendly relationship between the two countries.

President Masisi said in an interview, shortly after he and doubles partner, Mr Moitsheki Lekalake lost the contest to Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province governor, Mr Valige Tauabo and his local doubles partner, Mr Yusuf Dada.

President Masisi, who rolled back the years to his youth as a teenage tennis prodigy, said meeting his Mozambican counterpart and his delegation in a relaxed atmosphere underlined the strong bond of friendship.

“This is symbolic of the friendly relations between Botswana and Mozambique, particularly Cabo Delgado, it shows us being normal people engaging in leisure, relaxed at play. Sport and leisure is important,” Dr Masisi said.

He added that they had chosen tennis in particular since it is a sport they had been involved in over the years.

“Mr Tauabo used to be a leader of the tennis federation in the region, I used to be a tennis player in my youth; Mr Lekalake and I were once the best doubles partnership in the country. I won the game between us in Cabo Delgado last December and he won here and so I when I go there next I have to win again,” President Masisi said.

Governor Tauabo said he was glad Botswana had been assisting normalise the situation in his province in the aftermath of the terrorist insurgency and felt refreshed to be meeting President Masisi in a more relaxed ambiance.

After the tennis match, Dr Masisi presented President Nyusi with the gift of a bull, a pedigree Brahman, before the two heads of state shared lunch. ENDS