adminthis after a poor turnout in some age groups at the just ended New Winners tournament at Harare Sports Club.
The tournament caters for junior players in the Under-18, Under-16, Under-14, Under-12 and Under-10 age groups. This year’s event attracted more than 100 players with most of them taking part in the Under-10 to Under-14 age groups.
Ronzai Saurombe clinched the title in the boys Under-18 when he beat Ngoni Makambwa 6-4, 6-3 while Latifah Yasini walked away with the girls’ title after beating Zahra Finnigan 6-2, 6-1.
Nhokwara said there is need to work towards the improvement of the numbers and level of play in some age groups with the girls’ Under-18 category featuring only four players in this year’s edition.
“We need to keep working with our coaches to improve the standard of play. In some age groups the numbers are not acceptable so is the standard of play. There is need to continuously work on those areas,” Nhokwara said.
The TZ administrator, however, said they are happy with the progress they have made in other areas such as the launch of the Under-10 competition, which is a developmental programme that will see the national association creating a broad base for junior development.
Players in this age group use three different balls —- the red ball, orange and green ball depending on their level of skills. We launched the national tournament for the Under-10 for red balls, orange balls and green balls. Our plan is to decentralise and rather have all provinces running the same tournament.
“We are also happy to have Masvingo bringing in players, they are now fully active. In April they are going to host a national tournament,” said Nhokwara.
Last year the tournament featured a Super Eight event from the Under-12 to Under-18 age groups, however, this year the national association could not stage the event as some of the top players are currently in Namibia for the International Tennis Federation Southern African Junior championships.
Nhokwara said despite the absence of some of the top players who are in Namibia, the competition was good.
“Unfortunately because we had a team travelling to Namibia we could not do the Super Eight but we had some of the top players and it added depth to the tournament. Obviously we hope to introduce the Super Eight again. With the Super Eight selection will be easily defined for national teams but it does not mean we will shut out those that are outside the top eight,” said Nhokwara.
The New Winners tournament is an annual event held at the beginning of the year and most players use it as a platform to assess their state of preparedness for regional and international tournaments.
Online Reporter