adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
TENNIS Zimbabwe vice-president Martin Lock says the Davis Cup team have a tough task as they seek to secure promotion into the elite Euro-Africa Group Two next month.
The tournament will be staged in Cairo, Egypt, with 12 countries – Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Congo, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zimbabwe – fighting for the two slots into the Euro-Africa Group Two from September 8 to 13.
Zimbabwe will be represented by playing captain Martin Dzuwa, Takanyi Garanganga, Mark Fynn and Benjamin Lock as they seek promotion to the upper echelon s of the sport. In the absence of Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia they stand a good chance of progressing to Group Two.
Lock was speaking at the presentation of a US$17 330 cheque by Old Mutual at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
“The Davis Cup tie in Egypt is a very important event as we are in a do-or-die encounter in the Africa Zone. Our aim is to try and secure promotion to the Euro/Africa Group Two and we will be competing with 12 other nations and only two teams will be promoted.
“The team comprising of playing captain Martin Dzuwa, Takanyi Garanganga, Mark Fynn and Benjamin Lock have got a huge task of fulfilling every playing fan’s dream of competing at the highest level representing their country in trying to secure the all-important promotion to the European Zone,” said Lock.
“We are indeed indebted to Old Mutual for all the support and trust in partnering us in our efforts to develop tennis and compete at the highest level in this country. We are truly thankful to Old Mutual for their investment and assisting us to send our team to Egypt,” he said.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe group chief executive Jonas Mushosho said their support to the team is a result of a good relationship between them and the national association.
“It gives me great pleasure to present Old Mutual’s sponsorship of the team that will be representing Zimbabwe in the Euro-Africa Group Two Davis Cup tennis tournament that is scheduled for Cairo, Egypt.
“The sponsorship comes on the back of a very fruitful relationship that we have with Tennis Zimbabwe. We would want to see a new generation of the likes of Genius Chidzikwe, Byron, Wayne and Cara Black emerge from this country and we hope that this sponsorship will go a long way in motivating the team towards the journey back where we belong, the World Group stage.
“I am pleased to note that playing captain Martin Dzuwa was also one of those that helped Zimbabwe attain famed status and I am confident that he will be able to guide the team into the next stage – the Euro-Africa Zone Group Two,” said Mushosho.
The function was also attended by team members Dzuwa, Fynn and Benjamin Lock.
Last year Zimbabwe lost in the play-offs.
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