Immensely qualified and experienced, Sibanda returns home to assume his new position after working as Coordinator and Development Head Coach for the Namibia Tennis Association
GAZETTE REPORTER
Wellington Sibanda has been appointed Junior Tennis Coordinator of the Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) effective immediately, BTA has announced.
With over 25 years of tennis coaching experience, Sibanda brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, aiming to elevate junior tennis across the nation.
Sibanda, widely known as “Coach Wellington,” holds an impressive array of qualifications, including the internationally-recognised Coaching Advanced Players (CAP/Level 2) certification from the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Respected figure
He also holds a Sports Coaching Certification from the United States Sports Academy and a Play and Stay Tutor Course Certificate.
“Coach Wellington is a respected figure in the tennis community and a perfect fit for this critical role,” BTA said in a statement. “We are confident that his qualifications, extensive experience, and dedication to youth development make him an ideal choice for this pivotal role.”
From 1996 to 2015, Sibanda served as the BTA Development Coach in Selibe-Phikwe. During this period, he also led Botswana’s national teams in prestigious tournaments, including the Africa Youth Games and All Africa Games.
His players have competed in elite events such as Junior Wimbledon, the Davis Cup, the Billie Jean King Cup, and ITF Futures tournaments.
Youth tennis development
Prior to this appointment, Sibanda was the ITF Junior Tennis Initiative Coordinator and Development Head Coach for the Namibia Tennis Association. This experience further solidified his reputation as a leader in youth tennis development.
As Junior Tennis Coordinator, Sibanda will oversee BTA’s junior tennis programmes, focusing on increasing youth engagement nationwide. His responsibilities include managing the national High-Performance Programme and coordinating the Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI).
“Coach Wellington’s return marks a significant step forward for junior tennis in Botswana,” the statement added.