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Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
EIGHT junior tennis players will have another opportunity to compete for points to improve their rankings when they take part at the ITF/CAT African Junior Circuit for 14 years-and-under in Mauritius next week.
The tournament will take place from November 7 to 13 with players from different countries taking part.
The Circuit will run in two legs, with the Grade Two event scheduled for 7 to 10 and the Grade Three starts on November 10 up to November 13.
Zimbabwe will be represented by Benedict Badza, Marko Milosovlevic, Thomu Thompson and Mengesi Sibanda in the boys section while Tanyaradzwa Midzi, Tadiwanashe Mauchi, Julie Tungamirai and Sasha Chimedza battle it out in the girls section.
The team is led by coach Linsent Chitiyo and is expected to leave for Mauritius today.
The event takes off with a three-day camp for the participating players and Chitiyo said it will give them the opportunity to familiarise with their opponents.
“It’s actually to our advantage to get to familiarise with our opponents.
“It will give us enough time to look at the competition we are going to face (because) all the guys coming are going to have the camping.
“There are players from Botswana, South Africa, Mauritius, even Seychelles are sending some players . . . Once we have seen the level of competitiveness of our opponents we know the tactical approach to the tournament,” said Chitiyo.
Chitiyo expressed satisfaction with the way their preparations have been going as they have had other coaches such as Freeman Nyamunokora, Gwinyai Tongoona and Martin Dzuwa also coming in to assist.
He also commended parents for assisting with their preparations.
“At this juncture I would want to commend parents for the effort they have put in to make sure these players are in good shape and in the right mood. And even looking at the competition, our prospects of achieving good results, we stand high chances of doing well,” said Chitiyo.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is hoping to be part of this year’s Africa Tennis Nations’ Cup starting on Monday in Gaborone, Botswana.
The tournament has been running over the years but will be staged in Southern Africa for the first time and is running until November 10.
Some of the players earmarked to take part include reigning Junior Sportsperson of the Year Mehluli Sibanda and Liberty Nzula.
Tennis Zimbabwe administrator, Cliff Nhokwara confirmed Zimbabwe’s participation at the tournament.
“The Africa Nations Cup, it has been held before, it’s just that it’s the first time it has to come to Southern Africa. Mostly it has been in Northern Africa. They are also trying to make it bigger.
“We have never had a team participating, it’s our first time. Previously there hasn’t been any takers that were willing to but now we have players that want to play,” said Nhokwara.
Online Reporter