22 Apr 2025

By Anastacia Sibanda

 

GABORONE  - Botswana tennis player, Ntungamili Raguin won double at the just ended African Junior Championships (AJC) under 16 tournament in Cairo, Egypt. 

Ntungamili together with his partner, Andriantefihasina Mirija from Morocco won 5-7, 6-3, 10-4 against Algeria’s Nacer Ghouli and Yacine Meghari in the doubles final to clinch gold. 

He also won silver in singles in a closely contested final match losing to Nigeria’s Ogunsakin Peter by 6-2,6-3.

This was his second continental title, as he won the first AJC Under 14 singles in 2023.

In an interview, Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) vice president Nonofo Othusitse said they were happy with the player’s feat. 

“Ntungamili’s brilliant performances in the AJC serve as a positive reinforcement for our players, coaches, and administrators,” he said.

Furthermore, he said such was also a motivation for the upcoming players in the 12 and 14 under categories that it’s possible to take on the continent and the world.

Othusitse said they would engage the corporate world and other partners such as Botswana National Sport Commission and Botswana National Olympic Committee as they needed their support to implement initiatives such as the high performance programme, junior tennis initiative programme and wheelchair tennis programme.

Further, he said hosting more international events offered players platform and the opportunity to be competitive. 

“Given that the future looks brighter for our code, we are not far off from a first appearance at the Youth Olympics Games and Junior Grand slams,” he said. 

Othusitse said given the support by all stakeholder tennis could thrive, and results were there to support their case.

“In the last  five years, Botswana won four continental titles. In 2021, Ekua Refilwe Youri won the girls’ singles title while Denzel Seetso and Mark Nawa won the doubles title in the 16 and under category, add ITF Juniors titles won by Naledi Raguin, Chelsea Chakanyuka, Denzel Seetso, Mark Nawa, and Ntungamili Raguin.

Othusitse said the most recent CAT under 14 wins by Angel Chakanyuka, Tinashe Phatshwane, and Malak Macheng had shown that they had the talent to compete on the International Tennis scene. 

Meanwhile, Othusitse hailed the just concluded ITF U-18 Gaborone J30 and J60 tournaments as successful. 

The tournaments attracted players from South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho., Britain, USA, Czech Republic, and Croatia who kept spectators on their toes throughout the two weeks.

The first week of J30, Botswana fielded 13 players; eight boys and five girls in the main draw.

In the J60, Botswana had 16 players, eight boys and eight girls. 

However, all the players could not proceed to the semi-finals of both the J30 and J60 of the tournament.

Othusitse said though local players failed to make it to the finals, there were moments of individual brilliance on display.

He cited 13-year-old Tinashe Phatshwane, who made it to the main draw through a wild card in the J30 and Samantha Chivadze and Malak Macheng, who reached the main draw as some of the highlights of the tournaments.

“Further highlights are Macheng reaching the girls’ singles, thereby earning her first international ranking. We also had Seabo Saleshando reaching the quarterfinals in both the boys’ singles and doubles. We also had Rethabile Moshaoa reaching the girls’ doubles quarterfinals,” he said.

Othusitse said hosting the tournaments provided a platform and opportunity for players to compete in international events, giving them the necessary exposure and experience. 

“We were also using these tournaments as part of the preparations for the AUSC Region 5 Games to be hosted in Namibia in July,” he said. BOPA