adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
JUNIOR tennis players from all provinces are this coming weekend expected to converge in Masvingo for the provinces’ Junior Open tournament.
The three-day competition is set to run from Saturday to Monday next week at Masvingo Sports Club with participants taking part in five age-groups from Under-10 to Under-18 for both boys and girls.
Masvingo tennis board chairperson, Joseph Dzirutswa said they have opened entries for participants in preparation for the event.
“We are having the tournament this month and we are hoping to get players from Harare and Mutare, actually we are expecting all provinces to come. We have opened entries up to the day of the tournament and that is when we are closing entries. “It’s now an annual event, we first had it last year when we introduced it and it’s now on Tennis Zimbabwe’s calendar,” said Dzirutswa.
Dzirutswa said they are looking forward to a bigger event this year since the tournament will be running for the second year.
“Since last year was the first time the turnout was not that good but we expect a better turnout this year from all provinces. We are also hoping to get some sponsors on board to make it big since this is a small town.
“I think it will actually help us to see where we stand in terms of our development in line with the development policy for young players,” said Dzirutswa.
The Masvingo board chairperson urged players from the province to participate in the tournament and help promote the sport in their province.
“We are hoping youngsters from Masvingo will participate. It’s from Under-10 to Under-18 and we hope the tournament spreads so that we can get more kids.
“Last year we had about 60 players from Gweru, Mutare and Harare. We are trying to groom and nurture these young players,” said Dzirutswa. Bulawayo’s Muzingaye Sibanda is the defending champion in the boys Under-18 and will be out to defend his title. Wendy Rudhu won the girls section but will not be available to defend her title since she is now based in the United States after getting a tennis scholarship at Bluefield College early this year.
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