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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
YOUNG tennis ace, Ethan Sibanda has been offered a scholarship at the International Tennis Federation Centre in Morocco following his inclusion in an African team that took part in five tournaments in Europe.
Sibanda (14) returned to the country last week after playing in four countries in Europe where he, however, found the going tough exiting the majority of the tournaments at the second round stage.
Ethan’s father and coach, Tendai said they were informed by Tennis Zimbabwe of the offer and they are awaiting official communication confirming the scholarship.
He said they would be sitting down to decide on whether to take up the offer or not as they chart Ethan’s future in the sport.
“At face value it’s a dream offer but we have to look at how others who have come through the ITF scholarship system have fared in their careers and whether they have managed to turn pro. Our biggest aim is to get Ethan to turn pro and if we feel the scholarship route won’t take him there then we might look for other options.
“We need to look ahead to the future and see the best route to take,” added Sibanda.
Ethan is set to take part in a ITF/CAT Juniors Grade One tournament in Morocco early next and will get the opportunity to qualify for the 74th Annual iTennis Rose Bowl Junior Championships scheduled for America in October.
derick.khumalo