New head for WTAZ

Lewis Garaba early this year.
Garaba is now the secretary-general for the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Committee.
Madzivire took over on Saturday during the association’s general meeting held at St Giles in the capital.
Olga Chisango came in as the vice-president, replacing Alexander Mkandla, who is now the development officer, while Kudzai Mandinyanya is the secretary-general.

Madzivire was the provincial chairperson for Manicaland and Chisango has been volunteering as the communications’ consultant for the association.
Chisango said they hope to develop the sport throughout the country and expressed confidence in her colleagues.
“They are no strangers to the work of wheelchair tennis in Zimbabwe and have proved their willingness and dedication to the advancement and development of the sport,” said Chisango
Chisango said they have a busy year ahead with the fixtures for the beginning of the year already released and they are hoping to send a team to the World Cup qualifiers in Nairobi, Kenya.

“The 2012 calendar of fixtures for the beginning of the year have already been tabled with Zimbabwe being awarded the two ‘Open’ fixtures by ITF – Harare Open and the Bulawayo Open (part of the NEC wheelchair tennis tour).

“We are also planning to send a representative team to the World Cup qualifiers in Nairobi from the 28th of February to the 2nd of March.
“The juniors have the Cruyff Foundation Junior Masters in France from January 22 to 29.
“We would also like to have Nyasha Mharakurwa represent Zimbabwe at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

“He needs to play three tours to up his ranking to qualify in the top 46 required at the Games,” said Chisango.
Chisango said they were going to focus on the development of the sport at grassroots level in order to have as many players as possible taking part in wheelchair tennis.

Meanwhile, junior wheelchair tennis player, Shepherd Banda has been invited to take part in the Cruyff Foundation Junior Masters in France.
Banda is one of the juniors who participated in the 2011 World Team Cup held in South Africa.
WTAZ development officer, Mkandla, said the developments showed that the sport was moving in the right direction.

“We are happy because it shows that our game is developing and our players are doing well for them to be recognised by the International Federation.
“It’s encouraging to my colleagues to keep on working hard for the benefit of the sport. At least if we continue to do that we will develop more players and as the national association we will try to help him so that the trip is successful,” said Mkandla.