Namibia’s maiden BJK Cup hosting marks seventh participation

For the first time, Namibia is set to host the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup’s Africa Group III matches at Olympia’s Central Tennis Courts in Windhoek from Monday to Saturday.Considered the World Cup of women’s tennis and the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, the event will feature 12 nations battling for a chance to be promoted to Europe/Africa Group Two next year.This year marks the country’s seventh participation in the tournament. Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) recently announced that it will field top junior players Joanivia Bezuidenhout and debutant Mari van Schalkwyk, alongside captain Lesedi Jacobs (competes and coaches in the USA), Lisa Yssel (competes in South Africa) and Kerstin Gressmann (competes in France).NTA committee member Jandre Bezuidenhout confirmed that Namibia first participated in the tournament in 2004 in Malta (when it was called the Fed Cup until 2020). The second and third appearances were in 2005 and 2006 in Turkey.Namibia returned to the event in 2015 in Montenegro, took another hiatus and resurfaced again in 2023 and 2024 in Kenya.Playing formatAccording to the tournament’s official website, the 2025 edition will see participating nations square off in a two-stage round robin, with three pools of four (Pools A, B, C). The winners from each pool will face off in another round robin to determine the final rankings.Nations finishing bottom of their pools (A4, B4, C4) will also compete in a round robin, where the bottom-placed team will be relegated to Africa Group IV next year.Bezuidenhout urged the public and tennis fans to come out in great numbers and witness what he described as the “cream of the crop” compete in high-level tennis.“We have standout players like Angella Okutoyi from Kenya, who was the first Kenyan to win a Grand Slam title at the girls’ juniors Wimbledon event in 2022. I think it will be a good platform that blends youth with experience as our local players get to test their skills against players who are doing exceptionally well internationally,” he said.Team rostersAlgeria, GhanaAlgeria has fielded Bochra Mebarki, Melissa Kerfah and Ines Bekrar, while Ghana has fielded Sisu-Makena Tomegah, Tracy Ampah, Precious Okoh and Linda Henodzi.Botswana, BurundiBotswana has fielded Ekua Youri, Chelsea Chakanyuka, Naledi Raguin, Cheludo Monnayoo and Tshegofatso Tsiang, while Burundi has entered captain Innocent Nshimirimana, Yusra Irakoze, Ndayizeye Meira Anastasia, Safi Hategekimana, Ange Ishimwe and Sada Nahima.Morocco, MadagascarMorocco has fielded captain Mehdi Ait, Lina Bezza, Manal Ennaciri, Diae El Jardi, Malak El Allami and Yasmine Kabbaj, while Madagascar has entered Elisoa Andriantefihasina, Miotisoa Andrianantenaina, Randy Ikoriantsoa Rakotoarilala and Iariniaina Tsantaniony.Kenya, ZimbabweKenya has fielded Angella Okutoyi, Cynthia Wanjala, Alicia Owegi, Melissa Mwakha and Stacy Yego, while Zimbabwe has fielded Sasha Chimedza, Tadiwanashe Mauchi, Tanyaradzwa Midzi and Kuzivaishe Chapepa.Uganda, Tunisia, NigeriaUganda has fielded Patience Athieno, Winnie Birungi, Abigail Mulungi and Maggie Namaganda, while Tunisia has entered captain Lotfi Mornagui, Mouna Bouzgarrou, Lina Soussi, Meriem Ezzedine and Diana Chehoudi.Nigeria has fielded captain Rotimi Akinloye, Barakat Quadre, Ohunene Yakubu, Adesuwa Osabuohien, Success Ogunjobi and Khadijat Mohammed.– mariud@nsh.com.na

Namibia’s maiden BJK Cup hosting marks seventh participation

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