Speaking at the official opening of the championships at the Notwane courts yesterday, BTA president, Oshinka Tsiang said the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Confederation of Africa Tennis (CAT) played a major role to ensure that Botswana hosts a successful tournament.

Botswana is staging the event because of political unrest in Egypt, the initial hosts. "This is the third time Botswana is hosting this tournament, the other times being in 2007 and 2008. "This time it is unique as it came at short notice and I do not remember any other country in Africa having had to prepare for this tournament in less than two months," Tsiang said.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Shaw Kgathi told players and officials that the tournament came at the right time when Batswana's spirits are on a high after the Zebras' qualification to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

He said it is not impossible for Botswana to win the Africa Junior Tennis Championships. However, Kgathi warned Botswana players not to be complacent as all teams are here to compete.

The minister said sports can unite people and presently Africa needs unity as there is too much political unrest in some countries.

The junior championships started with a warm-up tournament in Gaborone on Tuesday. The championships run from April 3-10.

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