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Mthokozisi Dube in Gaborone, Botswana
BOTSWANA’S top women’s squash star, Lady Leburu, returns to the Safeguard Zimbabwe Open Squash Championships at Bulawayo’s Suburbs Squash Club today eyeing a gold medal.
Leburu makes a second appearance at the tournament after going as far as the semis last year, and is optimistic her chances are brighter this time around.

The competition starts today and will run until Sunday.

“I feel I am very much prepared for this one, I have been playing league matches and my fitness levels are quite satisfactory. I feel good and confident that I will do better this time,” Leburu told Chronicle Sport.

Leburu said the Bulawayo tournament is significant especially for their preparations for next year’s All Africa Games that will be hosted by Gaborone.

“It is very important for us to play in these tournaments — that is where we get exposed to the highest level of the game. We host the All Africa Games for both juniors and seniors next year so this is the time to prepare,” she said.

Leburu is Botswana ladies’ squash leading light and has participated in three tournaments held outside her native country.

Her first tournament outside the country was the Zimbabwe Open in August last year.

Later in the same month, she played in the Namibia Open and came back home with a silver medal.

She has been capped five times for the senior national team.