Nhamoyebonde honoured

Tennis Zimbabwe.
The local tennis family, at their annual meeting held on July 23 at Harare Sports Club, unanimously agreed to confer Nhamoyebonde with the title of honorary life vice-president in recognition to his contribution to the sport for the past three decades.
Nhamoyebonde’s election as one of TZ’s honorary life vice-presidents was confirmed by the organisation’s manager, Cliff Nhokwara, in a letter which was sent to the seasoned coach and administrator on July 28.
Nhokwara said Nhamoyebonde’s major responsibilities in his new role as one of TZ’s honorary life vice-presidents are as spelt out in the association’s constitution.
According to the TZ constitution, persons who have rendered long and distinguished service to the association (including for this purpose past service as president or vice-president of the association) may be nominated by the Board for the position of honorary life vice-president of the association.
Persons who have served on the association’s Board in any capacity may also be nominated by the Board for the position of honorary life vice-president.
“If present at general meetings, honorary life vice-presidents shall be entitled to vote on any resolutions which may be presented at general meetings except for the election of the executive positions, namely the president and the vice-president,” reads one of the articles in the TZ constitution.
When contacted yesterday, Nhamoyebonde said he felt honoured to be elected as one of TZ’s honorary life vice-presidents.
“I’m happy with the honour bestowed on me for recognition of my contribution to tennis development (in this country).
“I shall continue to promote tennis through sourcing rackets and sponsorship for disadvantaged tennis players.
“I (also) see my role as life vice-president as a link between TZ and the corporate sector and the public to support the game of tennis,” Nhamoyebonde said.
Nhamoyebonde’s association with local tennis dates back to 1979 when he started coaching the sport in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mufakose.
This saw him building four all-weather courts at Mufakose 2 High School in 1992 under the Mufakose Tennis Coaching Agency. He also took the Mufakose junior tennis team from the Sixth to First League in the Mashonaland League.
He also trained a number of coaches who are now earning a living through tennis.
Among the players and coaches who passed through Nhamoyebonde’s hands are Martin Dzuwa, Peter Nyamande, the late Claudius Murape and his brother Richard, Nelson Marondera (late), Simba Marondera, Simba Muchenje (who is now coaching in Kenya), Lazarus Manjoro and Julius Mashonganyika (who is now coaching in the United States). Nhamoyebonde also produced a number of talented young players who later won tennis scholarships in the United States and they include Shingirayi Nyagura and Andrew Mawire.
As a tennis administrator, Nhamoyebonde was first elected to the then Tennis Association of Zimbabwe board in 1981. He later served as TAZ vice-president from 1987 to 1988.
He was also the chairman of the Davis Cup committee in 1988.