adminEllina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
THE ZIMBABWE Davis Cup tennis team to take on Finland in the Europe/Africa Zone Group II early next month got a major boost ahead of the tie as NetOne committed themselves to sponsor the team to the tune of $50,000 this year. Zimbabwe will be travelling to Finland for the tie set for March 4 to 6. Their second tie is in July against either Georgia or Denmark and it will be away from home as well.
Tennis Zimbabwe president Regis Bhunu yesterday revealed that NetOne have come on board to sponsor the team. Last year they poured in $75,000 for the two ties against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Moldova which were both held at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe managed to remain in Group II after beating Moldova 5-0 in the relegation play-off, having lost 4-1 to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the first tie.
“Preparations are underway, we’re still waiting for the release of the funds. NetOne are giving us the funds. For the two ties they’re giving us $50,000. Last year they gave us $75,000.
“It’s quite exciting getting such level of commitment from NetOne. We really appreciate their participation in tennis.
“We always try to make sure NetOne is visible in everything we do so that they affect the wide range of people in tennis.
“It’s quite encouraging, we’ve managed to build quite a good relationship with them. They’ve been there for quite sometime now,” said Bhunu.
For the two ties, TZ need $60,000 and Bhunu said they were now working on raising the remaining balance to ensure both ties are well catered for.
“We’re going away for both ties. We’ll be working on that, we’ve other sponsors who helped us last year, we’re going into negotiations with them and we still have time because the second tie is in July,” said Bhunu.
Zimbabwe maintained their team from last year made up of captain Martin Dzuwa, Takanyi Garanganga, Courtney Lock and Mark Fynn.
They will, however, be missing Benjamin Lock, who pulled out due to college commitments in the United States just three weeks before the tie and Bhunu said considering the time left before the match against Finland, Dzuwa will be a playing captain.
“It’s unfortunate but there’s nothing he can do because he’s on a scholarship at a university college in the United States and they call the shots.
“It’s quite unfortunate because Benji had become very strong, with him we had very good chances against Finland. Now without him it’s putting a lot of pressure on Takanyi.
“It’s something we didn’t expect to happen, now we’re just hoping that our youngsters will rise to the occasion.
“We’re talking of guys who are professional, they know their commitment and they know why they’re there. They just need to build team spirit and come up with combinations, we’re comfortable.
“We’re going to have three players as the captain is going to be the fourth man as playing captain. It doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to play.
“It depends with what the situation will be like and it was an issue of time. We need to take players who will play, so the captain wants players he has seen playing,” said Bhunu.
The team is expected to be in Finland this Sunday ahead of the tie running from March 4 to 6.
Online Reporter