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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
EMAKHANDENI Tennis Club became popular in the early 1990s when it introduced an elite sport to Bulawayo’s high density suburbs in the process producing well talented players who went on to dominate the national scene.
Players such as Noel Wadawu, the late Dumiso Khumalo, Gloria Mpala, Fadzai Madzimbamuto and Matthew Gumbo, rose from obscurity to carve their names in the world of tennis, earning scholarships to study abroad.
A lull in activity at the Emakhandeni courts as the country faced a biting economic crisis in the past decade saw fewer youngsters from the western areas getting into the sport. However, the hosting of the 2014 African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games saw the renovation of the courts giving a new lease of life leading to the revival of the tennis club.
A new breed of tennis stars are emerging at the venue with Zamani Moyo being one of the leading lights. The 13-year-old saw his peers playing the sport at the Emakhandeni courts just over 18 months ago and decided to try his hand at the game.
Little did he know he would rise quickly to become one of the promising stars at the club.
Moyo, who won last week’s NM Sports Junior Open, is heading for South Africa to play in the Gauteng Central Summer Junior Open which gets underway tomorrow at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The Emakhandeni Primary pupil said he is excited playing his first tournament outside the country and would be using it to learn from his peers from other countries.
With only one year and six months into the sport, Moyo has shown exceptional talent becoming one of the dominant players in his age group despite his late entry into tennis.
“I am excited about going to South Africa and I think this would be more of a learning trip because I’m still new in the sport but obviously I will be at my best and would be aiming at reaching the finals. It’s my first time going out of the country and I hope this becomes the beginning of many trips on my way to playing in the top levels of the sport,” said Moyo.
His coach, Witness Jiyane, who is accompanying him down south, said exposing the tennis hopeful to a different environment will give him an edge as he progresses in his career.
“Exposure is critical in this sport if one is to succeed and with the potential Zamani has shown, I think it would give him good lessons as he rises in tennis,” he said.
After coming into contact with tennis Moyo dumped his previous sport, football which he used to play before discovering the game played with a smaller ball.
He said his favourite player is Andy Murray, whom he wants to emulate by winning the Wimbledon.
“I am now focused on tennis having left football, where I played as a defensive midfielder and I want to reach the top level of the sport and play among the world’s best. I hope to represent my country in the Davis Cup in future and also take part in international tournaments such as the US Open,” said Moyo.
The youngster was also part of the Bulawayo side that won silver in the inter-provincials in Harare and also led the Bulawayo schools team to gold at the National Schools Tennis championships played in Marondera.
The club is faced with equipment and financial challenges as most youngsters do not have racquets and balls of their own.
Despite receiving nine racquets in June, six from the Lions Club of Khumalo as well as nine balls, and three from South African-based protégé, Mgcini Ndlovu, Jiyane said they still need more equipment as well as financial aid as they sometimes miss out of town tournaments due to lack of transport funds.
Online Reporter