adminThe first leg of the tournament will run from July 30 to August 4 and the second leg is scheduled for August 6 to 11 at Harare Sports Club.
The tournament is expected to attract players from countries such as Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda and Botswana.
Tennis Zimbabwe administrator, Cliff Nhokwara, said a number of top African junior players have entered for the tournament and it will be a stiff competition with most of the local players expected to go through the qualifiers after failing to make it into the main draw.
“There are more than 100 entries. Most of our players are going for the qualifiers and alternates because they did not have enough points to make it into the main draw.
“The only two players that are in the main draw are Tendai Tapfuma and Courtney Lock in the boys category.
“In the girls’ category, with the absence of Valeria Bhunu there is no one.
“However, we are allowed two wild cards in each category meaning that we will have four players in the boys’ section,” said Nhokwara. Nhokwara said they were hoping to hold another tournament to prepare the players for the challenge ahead.
Last month the national association held the Cee Cees tournament but it was marred by a poor turnout as most of the top players did not pitch up.
“We started preparations with the Cee Cees, which unfortunately some of the top Under-18 players could not take part in.
“We are going to have a warm-up tournament a week before the ITF tournament.
“But as long as our current Under-18 players are shunning tournaments it’s going to be difficult for them to get world rankings,” Nhokwara said.
The TZ administrator noted that some of the players may not be able to compete as most schools will be having their mid-year exams.
“Unfortunately the tournament is also clashing with exams but some schools can arrange for someone to go for a tournament and then sit for the exams but with our culture it’s difficult.
“It will affect local players in this tournament and other tournaments.
“As long as they (players) don’t have points they will continue to start in the qualifiers and alternates,” said Nhokwara.
Most of the countries that will be competing are expected in the country between July 28 and 29.
Online Reporter