Poane officiates Grand Slams
Botswana Tennis Association's Gaone Poane has cemented her position as a trailblazer in the world of tennis officiating, having recently become the first Motswana to officiate at the prestigious French Open. Not content with just that feat, Gaone also oversaw matches at the Lyon ATP 250 and the ATP Challenger in Austria, achieving a high-profile officiating roles. The BTA has lauded her accomplishments, celebrating her success as an inspiration for aspiring tennis officials.
Oaitse Thipe, President of the Botswana Tennis Association, lauded Gaone Poane's outstanding officiating at Grand Slams such as Wimbledon and the French Open, as well as on the European tennis circuit. Thipe expressed pride in Gaone's achievements and emphasized the Association's commitment to nurturing the next generation of tennis officials, inspired by Gaone's example. He asserted that the Association would continue supporting and developing talent within their ranks, striving to produce more officials of Gaone's caliber.
Thipe elaborated on Gaone Poane's journey to international success, noting that she began her officiating career with local Botswana Open tournaments before being entrusted with assignments on the African continent and at the Tokyo Olympics. Thipe further explained that Gaone's credentials continued to build, leading to officiating opportunities at the prestigious Wimbledon and the Australian Open qualifiers. He emphasized the significance of this steady progression and development, which ultimately paved the path for Gaone to become Botswana's first representative at the renowned French Open.
"Botswana Tennis Association takes pride in hosting eight international tournaments annually. This allows our officials to maintain their badges and gain eight weeks of on-the-ground experience without the need for travel. We also lend our support to officials who seek refresher courses or upgrades, recognizing that continuous development is crucial to keeping our officiating standards high," he said.
"Poane's achievements represent a positive trend in the tennis officiating profession. Officials can now make a full-time career out of officiating, thanks to the abundance of local, international, and Continental tournaments. Botswana Tennis Association is set to host eight weeks of high-profile tournaments in the near future, which, when combined with other international events, can provide ample opportunities for officials to earn a livelihood. Moreover, we plan to train 40 line judges for the Davis Cup in 2024, and we hope to host a white badge school the following year to further upgrade the skills of our officials," he added.
Thipe also disclosed that the Botswana Tennis Association has grand ambitions to host 10 to 12 weeks of ITF $15k professional tournaments, in addition to age-group events. This, he explained, would not only provide a wealth of job opportunities within the tennis industry but also contribute significantly to the country's economy, he sees a brighter future for tennis officiating and for the sport as a whole in Botswana.