adminNgqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
THE Emakhandeni Juniors Open held over the weekend received an overwhelming response and organisers said it would now become an annual event.
Over 50 young tennis players took part in the tournament.
Emakhandeni Tennis Club chairman Witness Jiyane said they were pleased with the turnout and that sponsors they had approached came to the party to make the tournament a success. He said they were aiming for more participants next year.
“The challenges that had stalled us were mainly financial and I think with sponsors willing to partner us in hosting the event, we are making it annual and have already started preparations for next year,” said Jiyane.
“We are indebted to our partners, who include Bakers Inn, Rotary Club of Kumalo, MediHealth Pharmacy, Serve4Africa and Lobels for the support they gave us.”
He was hopeful they would again partner his club for next year’s tournament. The event saw 54 players competing in three age groups, Under-10, Under-12 and Under-14, for both girls and boys.
The future tennis stars played in a round robin format with Theofelus Ngwenya emerging tops in the Under-10 boys followed by Isaac Moyo.
Pamela Moyo and Zinhle Jiyane came first and second respectively in the same age-group.
Mqedisi Sithole and Makanaka Whata took first and second place in the Under-12 boys, with Kudzai Chapepa taking pole position and Betina Moyo coming second in the girls’ category. Dolorrence Hove won the boys Under-14 followed by Zamani Moyo, while Charmine Nldovu dominated the girls followed by Pinket Nkomo.
Emakhandeni Tennis Club was once a catchment area for tennis in the Western suburbs after bringing what was then viewed as an elite sport to previously marginalised areas.
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