adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
SENIOR tennis players from across the country are expected to converge at Harare Sports Club for the inaugural Select Healthcare tournament starting tomorrow.
The three-day event which is being hosted by the Harare Metropolitan Tennis Board is open to players from the age of 14 and above and will end on Sunday. Participants will compete for honours in the men and women’s sections.
Tournament director, Israel Chitsa said they are looking forward to a competitive event as they are expecting players such as Martin Dzuwa, Liberty Nzula, Fadzai Mawisire and Pauline Chawafambira to take part.
Chawafambira recently won the Zambia Open and will be hoping to continue with her fine run.
“This is merely local players coming together, so I guess we will see some of the guys who have been on each other’s throat (in the past) especially Martin Dzuwa and Liberty Nzula. We also have Fadzai Mawisire, Valeria Bhunu and Pauline Chawafambira. As we go up the draw we expect tough competition,” Chitsa said.
Chitsa said they have not had a senior’s tournament in the province for a quite some time due to lack of resources and they are grateful to Select Healthcare for coming on board. Basically it’s being sponsored by Select Healthcare, they once sponsored a junior tournament this year and this time around they came in to sponsor the seniors.
“We haven’t had a senior’s tournament in a while. I don’t remember when was the last time we had one and it’s a real boost because we are really trying to revive tennis.
“Without money it’s hard to hold seniors tournaments because to them it’s a loss, so we are really grateful to Select Healthcare,” said Chitsa.
The tournament is being sponsored to the tune of US$3 000 and the winner in the men’s section will pocket US$400 while the losing finalist walks away with US$200.
Online Reporter