09 Jan 2026

Botswana will from January 9 host the 2026 International Tennis Federation (ITF) / Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) Southern Africa Junior Championships, which will run until January 17 in Gaborone.

The zonal tournament features Under-14 and Under-16 players competing in both individual and team events, bringing together some of the region’s most promising young tennis talent.

Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) vice president Nonofo Othusitse said the championship was expected to attract about 150 players and coaches from across Southern Africa.

Participating countries that have confirmed their att endance include Angola, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Othusitse said Botswana, as the host nation, was allowed to register up to six players per age group and gender, while other participating countries were limited to three players each, adding that Botswana would be represented in both the Under-14 and Under-16 team competitions for boys and girls. “In preparation for the championship, our players att ended training camps held from December 15 to 19, and from January 5 to 8,” he said.

Othusitse noted that hosting the tournament aligned with the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) 2028 str ategy and the BTA’s str ategic objective of attracting and hosting high-profile sporting events.

He said the championship provided an opportunity for Botswana to demonstrate its commitment to youth development and sporting excellence, while also boosting tourism and international visibility as families, coaches and officials travel to support the athletes.

Othusitse also said the event was also expected to inspire local players through exposure to high-level competition and str engthen regional ties. “It will further enhance Botswana’s reputation as a capable and welcoming host of internati onal sporti ng events,” he said. ENDS