Chronicle Editor
Walter Mswazie & Tawanda Mangoma in Masvingo
MASVINGO-based tennis sensation Tanatswa Tanyongana is appealing for $10 000 to participate in local and international tournaments for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Tanatswa (13) failed to travel to Kenya for an International Tennis Federation tournament in May after her parents failed to raise $2 500 required for her travel and upkeep.
Her mother Sekai Zigari told Chronicle Sport yesterday said she was running out of funds to support her talented daughter, who is a Grade 7 learner at Chikato Primary School in Masvingo.
“I managed to fund her trips to South Africa in 2015 where she played in the Under-12 African Junior Championship (AJC) Zonal competition. She travelled to Maseru in Lesotho where she won a gold medal in the Under-15 New Winners competition,” said Zigari.
In August, Tanyongana travelled to Namibia where she won a gold medal in the Under-13 ITF Circuit. She scooped bronze in the Under-14 AJC in March before winning the Under-16 tournament in Tunisia.
Zigari said sponsorship would help in catering for her daughter’s kitting, rackets, transport and the coach’s allowances.
“As parents we have supported her morally, financially and materially to enable her to participate in all tournaments she was invited to. She needs to participate in many tournaments to earn more points to improve her rankings both locally and internationally, but of late I am now struggling to meet her demands.
“We are appealing to well-wishers to help us raise about $10 000 for my daughter to fulfil her dream,” said Zigari.
Tanyongana will participate in the Simon Muzenda Memorial tournament at Masvingo Sports Club tomorrow.
derick.khumalo