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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
FORMER Matabeleland Tennis Board secretary Beverly De Souza, has been appointed to the national management committee.
In an interview yesterday she said she would work tirelessly towards improving the standard of the sport in Bulawayo following her appointment to the Tennis Zimbabwe leadership.
The Bulawayo businesswoman is part of the TZ board that will be in office for the next three years.
Regis Bhunu, a former TZ secretary is now the president with Martin Lock deputising him while De Souza, Vincent Nyatoti, Kuda Muhwandayara and Rutendo Chabururuka complete the board.
De Souza said during her tenure as a board member she would make sure that equipment meant for the province is fairly distributed and contributes towards development of the sport.
“Focus should be on resuscitating tennis and making sure that the sport is for everyone. Right now tennis in Bulawayo and the country as a whole is more of an elitist sport which is not good for the sport. We have to take tennis to the western areas and schools there because there is lots of talent there. We have to take the sport back on track and try by all means to encourage players to play the sport even after school.
“During the Tarryn-Leigh De Souza Memorial Tournament I spoke to a TZ official who indicated that there was equipment which was distributed to provinces but we don’t know what happened to Bulawayo’s share. That equipment which includes balls and rackets is for development of tennis.
Since I am now in the TZ board, I want to serve this community to the utmost of my capabilities and make sure that I represent Bulawayo fully,” said De Souza.
The Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Tennis Board led by Zebediah Mawisire is expected to meet De Souza soon to map the way forward.
She challenged parents to take up administrative positions and work towards taking tennis to greater heights. In Bulawayo the provincial board is now run mainly by coaches after parents and other interested people withdrew following the coming on board of trainers to compete for positions.
“I will soon meet the local board to find out what we should present when we go for a meeting in Harare soon. As Bulawayo’s representatives, I believe it is the responsibility of those representing the province to take the grievances to TZ and also give feed back.
“During my days as a secretary we had parents involved in administering the sport and coaches’ job was to train the kids. Then there was free-flow and when the parents left coaches to administer the sport took a nose-dive. It is the responsibility of every parent to make sure that they are involved so that tennis in Bulawayo improves,” said De Souza.
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