Byo increase players in Zim schools tennis team

Sisa Sihwa, Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO has increased the number of players selected in the Zimbabwe Schools Tennis team to represent the country at an Inter-provincial tournament to be held in South Africa this year.

The event which is set for the first week of April will see Zimbabwean schools team competing with provincial teams from South Africa. The players were selected during the Zimbabwe schools inter -provincial tennis trials competitions held in the Harare last week. Ashley Dube, Nicole Matukutire and Hailey Banda were selected to be part of the girls Under-15 team after reaching the finals of the competitions, while Brendon Beta and David Ntoto will make up the squad in the Under-15 men’s category. In the Under- 19 category for boys, Phiwokuhle Moyo, Patrick Maison, Tes Tururu and Tatenda Mukundu were selected after being the finalists in the schools’ competition, while Thabisile Dube, Zandile Mguni and Luba Moyo will be competing in the women’s grouping.

The Bulawayo Metropolitan Tennis Board chairman Raggs Chikunichawa said the players delivered a very impressive performance at the schools’ finals.

“The team played very well and produced good results from the schools’ competition. They showed remarkable talent and skill as most players managed to reach the finals and some were knocked out in the semi-final which shows their level hard work,” said Chikunichawa.

“Most of the players from Bulawayo were been selected to be part of the Zimbabwean schools team set to travel to South Africa to participate in the Inter-provincial schools tennis competition which is highly competitive. Over the years we have had fair representation of our players in the national team but this year the number has increased as we have managed to have more players in the team from the province which is very positive,” he added.

Chikunichawa said that the tournament is very crucial as it will provide great exposure for the players.

“Definitely the event is important for our players as it provides them with good exposure as far as international competitions are concerned, hence the players need the introduction and experience of such tournaments,” he said. Chikunichawa said that the Zimbabwe Tennis Schools’ Council is yet to announce the technical team and coaches for the Zimbabwe schools team. -@ J_sihwa