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Sports Correspondent
BULAWAYO tennis players are aiming to do well in this year’s season opener, the New Winners’ tournament underway at Harare Sports Club. Under the tutelage of Thesly Mufunda, the Bulawayo contingent is composed of Girls College Tennis Centre and Dominican Convent players.
The New Winners tournament is the brainchild of Tennis Zimbabwe and is a preparatory stage for upcoming local competitions. The competition has been running for more than 15 years.
The contest ends on Friday.
Poised to make a good head start is Lorraine Ndiweni and Rumbidzai Paguwa in the Under -8 girls’ category. Other players likely to do well include Under-14 hopefuls Buhle Ndebele, Dalitso Phiri and Nicole Chigwada.
In the Under-10s’ girls, Bulawayo will bank on Atupele Phiri and Lian Chicksen (boys).
According to the Bulawayo Metropolitan Tennis Board, most of the province’s young players were playing for the first time in this season opener.
Despite sending rookies, Mufunda who is also the senior coach at Girls College, expects nothing short of success.
The coach wants to end Harare and Mutare’s dominance of local junior tournaments.
“We want to end Harare’s dominance in tennis.
“Our players have the ability to win in competitions. It’s our aim as the Bulawayo Metropolitan Tennis Board to hone players’ skills so that they rise to represent not only Bulawayo but the country.
“We’re not disturbed by the fact that some of our players are in this competition for the first time. All the players are ready and nothing can stop us from achieving our target.
“This competition is equally important, we can’t aim low,” Mufunda said.
Raggs Joelson, the Bulawayo board’s secretary, said they would want their players and coaches to represent the country as well.
“If we’re to have players in the national team, this is the platform.
“As the sport’s governing body in Bulawayo, we’ve advised coaches to bring out the best in the players so that they are selected.”
Online Reporter