ITF 18 and U South Central Circuit underway

Nkosilodumo Ndebele
THE annual International Tennis Federation (ITF) 18 and Under South Central Circuit competitions are under way in Harare with players from all over the continent battling it out to improve their international rankings.

South Africa, United States of America, India, Australia, China, Namibia and the hosts Zimbabwe are among the teams competing in the capital city.

The competition which commenced on 31 July will end on August 4 at Harare Sports Club.

Top players dotted around the countrya��s 10 provinces have been selected to represent the country in the prestigious event.

Organiser of the event Cliff Nokwara said they did not go through a torrid time in organising the event compared to what they had gone through in organising the events of such magnitude before.

a�?Organisation was not as difficult as before because the event is now an annual event in our calendar so we are always ready for it. The event has been happening for the previous 6 years,a�? he said.

He added that this is an opportunity for players to expose themselves to the world at the same time ita��s an opportunity to gain international rankings.

a�?It is an opportunity for our players to have world recognition by gaining points that increase their international rankings,a�? said Nokwara.

Last month, Tennis Zimbabwe held a similar international competition in Bulawayo and they highlighted that such competitions would keep running throughout the year for the benefit of local players.

a�?We are trying to keep on improving the standard of our players in the international arena so that as time goes on, the country births a number of world-class players,a�? said Nokwara.