adminThe Bulawayo boy beat Harare’s Tadiwa Chigaadzira in the best of three games at the national play-offs that were held in Harare last week.
Chabata won the first game 6-1, 7-5 and wrapped it up with a 6-1, 6-2 victory in the second game.
Chabata’s coach Petros Ndlovu was ecstatic with his player’s achievement.
“We are very much happy that Chabata made it into the Zimbabwe junior national team. His hard work has finally paid off and now we are continuing with an intensive training programme so that by the time they leave for Namibia he is in best shape,” Ndlovu said.
Most of the players that are in the national team are from Harare and Mutare. Ndlovu was hopeful that more Bulawayo players would in future make it into the national teams.
“In the past few years Harare and Mutare players have been dominating in the national teams. Chabata has played a number of local competitions and I believe that his breaking into the national team will open doors for other Bulawayo players.
“The development programmes that are being run at different centres around the city are good and it is only a matter of time before more of our players begin knocking on national team doors,” said Ndlovu.
Tennis Zimbabwe administrator Cliff Nhokwara said the travelling coaches for the Africa Junior Championships Southern Zone are Freeman Nyamunokora and Lincent Chitiyo. The team leaves for Namibia on 5 January.
Squad
UNDER-12: (Boys) Tanaka Chabata, (Girls) Kim Bhunu and Beverly Matsiwe
UNDER-14: (Boys) Tadiwa Chinamwa and Keith Mwashida (Girls) Keren Muswere and Karen Machisa
UNDER-16: (Boys) Courtney Lock and Allwan Mushonga (Girls) Thabisile Tshatedi and Latifa Yasini
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu