Emakhandeni to host Invitation tennis tournament

Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sports Reporter

JUNIOR tennis players from top clubs around the country will next weekend converge for the Emakhandeni Tennis Club Invitational, set for Bulawayo Athletics Club (BAC) Courts.

Players between the ages of 10 to 18 will take part in this contest, which will be one of the first major competitions in the city this year, as the tennis calendar opens. Slated for February 16 to 18, it is likely that as many players will register as they seek to rub off the rust, following a lengthy break from last year.

Tournament organiser, who is also the director at Emakhandeni Tennis Club, Witness Jiyane told Zimpapers Sports Hub that they are expecting to host more than 60 players.

“We are glad to announce our first competition of the year will be the Emakhandeni Tennis Club Invitational. So far we can safely say we have 60 players that have registered. These players come from different places countrywide so, it is definitely going to be an intense competition on court. We have registered players from Harare, Gwanda and Masvingo. There will be kids from Highfields, Gwanda and Mufakose. On the local front, we will have players from schools such as local Charleston Trust, Northlea High, Emakhandeni Primary, Josiah Chinamano, Girls College, Whitestone Primary and others whom we are waiting to register soon,” said Jiyane.

He revealed the Invitational tournament has partnered Select Health Care and Miravana Transport as sponsors.

“We value the warm gesture of support that has been extended by local companies over the years. This time around we are proud to be working with Select Health and Miravana Transport. In our last tournament in December, the core sponsors were PPC, Miravana Logistics and Chicken Inn. I would like to thank our previous sponsors PPC, Chicken Inn, Hope Pharmacy and Miravana Logistics for their continued support.”

Jiyane said it was in their plans as Emakhandeni Tennis Club to organise a tournament every month.

“Our aim is to have at least one tournament every month so that we keep players match fit and prepare them for national tournaments in April,” he said.

Emakhandeni Tennis Club tournaments have been attended by players, with some of them who have since won scholarships with aims to turn professional soon. These players have represented the country in regional and continental outings and they include Africa’s number one ranked Under-14 Kuzivaishe Chapepa and her sister Kudazi, Shain Tapera, Emmly Geerge, Akeelah Khanye, Zamani Moyo, Courage Ndlovu, Isaac Nyoni and Munashe Bera.

Tapera and Moyo are in the United States of America (USA) on a scholarship. Jiyane, who is also a top coach and administrator, was of the view that the growth of tennis in the country hinged on the successful implementation of player development and sound internal funding. While acknowledging how sponsors have come to the aid of the sport, Jiyane said it was time to find other means of funding.

“As we forge forward, there’s no denying that the sport is in need of sponsors. We applaud those who chip in here and there but more needs to done. Hosting such tournaments comes a heavy cost. Parents toil to have their kids participate. We have these kids who come from less privileged families.  I hereby appeal to the corporate world to assist and cover some of their expenses during the tournament, which includes food and accommodation,” he said.