All set for New Winners tennis tournament

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ALL is set for the New Winners tennis tournament starting this morning at Harare Sports Club with more than 100 junior players expected to take part. The four-day event, which is the first tournament of the year, will see players from across the country competing in the Under-10, Under-12, Under-14 and Under-18 age groups.
The Under-16s have been combined with the Under-18s.

Tennis Zimbabwe administrator Cliff Nhokwara said they were looking forward to an exciting competition as most of the top players have entered to compete in the event.

“All in all we have 150 players. All the top players we have in the Under-18s have entered for the tournament.
“Obviously, we expect a high level standard of tennis and competition,” said Nhokwara.

Nhokwara said they were happy with their junior developmental programme which is mainly targeting the Under-10s and Under-12s.
Tennis Zimbabwe’s aim is to increase the number of junior players playing the game around the country.

There has been a marked decline in the number of young players playing tennis in Zimbabwe and Tennis Zimbabwe believe it is their mission to change that.

They must be cheered that the huge turnout in this tourney has come in the youngest ranks.
“The biggest entry is in the Under-10s and Under-12s, so we are hopeful if it continues like this it means we will have a bigger base for the Under-14s next year and the Under-16s.

“Our development programme is beginning to shape up, a number of players are coming in to play.
“For the Under-18s we are looking at a draw of 16 for the girls and that is quite a respectable number given that there are about four other girls competing at the zonals,” said Nhokwara.

Some of the players expected to take part in the tournament are Alwyn Mushonga, Ngoni Makambwa, Luca Picci, Tariro Dembo, Zarah Finnigan and Latifah Yasini who will defend her title in the Under-18s.

In the boys section the title will be up for grabs as last year’s winner Ronzai Saurombe is now based in United States after he got a tennis scholarship.