admin
Sports Reporter
TENNIS Zimbabwe president, Biggie Magarira, says it is encouraging to see junior players raising the country’s flag high after the boys and girls 12-and-Under teams won the Confederation of African Tennis tournament, which ended on Saturday, in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe emerged winners in the team event which featured Malawi, Botswana and Namibia, and will represent the Southern Region at the Continental Championships, before the end of the year.
Each country was fielding a boys team of three and a girls team, with the same number of players.
The five-day tournament was held at Bulawayo Country Club.
Zimbabwe’s girls team was made up of Chanelle Zhuwakini, Kuzivaishe Chapepa and Simphiwe Malunguza while the boys team featured Tendekai Musabaeka, Bradley Nyamunokora and Kudiwanashe Matambo.
Namibia were second and will join Zimbabwe at the continental event.
Malawi were third and Botswana finished fourth.
“It was quite a success, we hosted the tournament successfully and our teams actually didn’t disappoint, they lived up to expectations,’’ said Magarira.
“It means we are going to the continental event, the African Junior Championships 12-and-Under. This was regional for Southern Africa.
“So, it was quite a good event, considering our kids were in lockdown.
“We pulled up quite a surprise in our performance and all thanks to the coaches, the parents, the players and everyone behind the scenes, who made it a reality.
“And, we want to thank ITF (International Tennis Federation) and CAT for their faith and trust in us to host this tournament.”
Bulawayo is also hosting an Under-14 tournament, which got underway, on Sunday.
The TZ president said they have a busy schedule, for the remainder of the year, with several events lined up for the juniors.
“It is very good for our kids because they haven’t played tennis competitively, for a long time, and they were not travelling.
“Hosting these tournaments also is a trust from the ITF and CAT.
“They are showing that we have got the capacity to host such tournaments because we have players from across the continent.
Online Reporter