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Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TENNIS Zimbabwe acting general manager Linsent Chitiyo says preparations are underway for the hosting of the up-coming Davis Cup World Group II Play-offs tie against Morocco due to take place early next year.
The 2025 World Group II Play-offs are scheduled to take place either on January 31 to February 1, or February 1 to 2.
Zimbabwe host Morocco at a venue to be announced.
The national association has begun working towards ensuring they host a successful event.
“I think preparations are already underway in terms of, communication has been sent to players to confirm availability.
“And for the administrative procedures, they are already underway in terms of making sure we are ready to host the event,” said Chitiyo.
The winning nations will progress to play a World Group II tie in September 2025. The losing nations will compete in their respective regional Group III events later in 2025.
“It’s the play-offs, we are fighting to make sure that we compete in Group II. If we fail to do that then it means we are still going back to the same competitions that we have had where it becomes more of a Group tournament for qualifiers again.
“So literally if we fail to do it in January against Morocco, it means in July we are going back to the play-offs again to fight for promotion again to come for the (World Group II) play-offs.
“Majority of our players have been doing what they can in terms of making sure that they are active, competing, so that we get promoted into the Group II.
“We will see how it goes but we expect to do the best that we can and be promoted.”
The national association is engaging some corporates for support towards the event.
“So right now we are in the process of making sure that administratively we are getting ready for the event.
“We are also engaging corporate partners who will come in and help us in terms of making sure that we have a successful event in terms of our hosting,” Chitiyo said.
Zimbabwe were promoted to the World Group II Play-offs for 2025 when securing one of the three promotional slots at the Africa Group III event held in Nigeria, in July.
The other two countries that were promoted from that event were Namibia and Nigeria.
However, the concern for Zimbabwe has been its failure to establish itself in World Group II.
Before their promotion in July, they had been relegated to Africa Group III early this year when they went down 3-1 to Hong Kong in an away World Group II Play-off tie.
It was the third year in a row that Zimbabwe found themselves back in Africa Group III.
As they return to the World Group II Play-offs they will be hoping for a win to advance to the World Group II ties.
Online Reporter