17 Jul 2024

 Hosting the Tennis World Cup (Davis Cup) Africa Group V event is in line with Vision 2036 that recognised sport as a contributor and enabler of socio-economic development. 

 Officially opening the Tennis World Cup (Davis Cup)  Africa Group V tournament yesterday, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), president, Botsang Tshenyego said sport was sustainable as it not only developed individuals, but developed societies and the world at large.

“Sport is not just physical activity, it promotes health and helps prevent, or even cure, the diseases of modern civilisation,” he said.

He said it wa also an educational tool, which fostered cognitive development, taught social behaviour and helped to integrate communities.

Tshenyego further said hosting the Tennis World Cup (Davis Cup) Africa Group V event also capacitated competitive athletes, efficient administrators and roped in great support from corporations.

He further said the national sport governing bodies, BNOC and Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC), the private sector, with technical support from Confederation of African Tennis (CAT), International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Botswana Tennis Association, (BTA) had been working hard to grow tennis for the past 40 years in the country.

On Davis Cup, he said it was developed from the International Lawn Tennis Challenge to The Davis Cup, after Dwight Davis’ trophy. 

He said it started in the 1900 by Dwight Davis as a challenge match between the USA and Great Britain to show prowess between them.

Tshenyego said Davis, who was a tennis player and one of the four members of Harvard University tennis club, conceived the idea of a game to be played by two countries to test their abilities.

 “It required patience and team work to attain the field of play, Davis designed the tournament format and brought a winner’s trophy, to this day. Davis teaches us the fundamental principles of perseverance, dedication, team work, leadership and personal sacrifice, which are key for sustainable success,” he said

BNSC vice chairperson Tebogo LebotseSebego thanked both CAT and ITF for their continued support to Botswana Tennis Association, adding that they were one of best organised sport sodes. 

The Tennis World Cup (Davis Cup) Africa Group V event  is contested by 15 African countries, contesting  for the two available slots for promotion to Africa Group IV. 

In Pool A, there is Mozambique, Djibouti, Tanzania, Pool B has Gabon, Uganda, Sudan, Seychelles, while Pool C has Botswana, Madagascar, Lesotho, Libya and Pool D has Congo, Mauritius, Ethopia and Mauritania. 

Team Botswana is made up of Denzel Seetso, Batsumi Marobela, Mark Nawa, Tsholofelo Tsiang, Esi Molefe and Seabo Saleshando, as reserve. 

The event, which started yesterday, ends on Saturday. 

Ends