Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Youth Interactive Writer
SIX talented young tennis players will battle it to today with other African players for the African Junior Team Championship (AJTC).
Three girls and three boys left the country for the tournament, which commenced on May 5, and set to end today.
The 14th edition is being held in Cairo, Egypt.
The team has set its eyes on conquering the Egyptian terrain to clinch a qualification ticket to the 2025 ITF World Junior Tennis Competition.
The team is part of eight nations which is wrestling for the qualification slot in a round-robin format, going toe to toe with big names like Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, and hosts Egypt.
The team includes Tanyaradzwa Chinyemba, Emily George and Rutendo Tom. Boys team Divine Kaliofas, Muchengeti Manzungu and Joel Badza.
Chinyemba said she is eager to leave a mark on the continent.
Chinyemba said the days as they take to the courts, they are not only competing for individual honours but also vying for a coveted spot in the prestigious ITF World Junior Tennis Finals.
“The experience gained from this tournament will be invaluable, and the exposure will help us shape our future careers.
“We believe in ourselves, our team is unique, strong and balanced. I believe my teammates and I are ready to give it our all for the last game, lift our national flag high, and make history. Since we won our zonal qualifiers, we believe we can go all the way and secure a place at the World Cup,” she said.
Tennis Zimbabwe President Walter Jera highlighted the tournament’s importance, saying it’s a vital step toward reviving the sport’s past glory in Zimbabwe.
“This competition is vital because it’s a qualifier for the World Junior Tennis competition, which then leads to the world group. Just getting to this stage is a remarkable achievement. Credit must go to the players and the parents who continue to support them.”
Tennis Zimbabwe has adopted a strong grassroots policy tailored to groom future tennis stars who will raise the standards of the sport in the country.
The AJTC serves as Africa’s qualifying competition for the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals, scheduled to take place in Prostejov, Czech Republic, from August 4 to 9, 2025.
The top team in each category, boys and girls, will earn a place on the world stage, providing a unique opportunity for these young athletes to showcase their skills against the best from around the globe.
The participation of these six young Zimbabweans in the AJTC is a testament to the country’s growing tennis talent. With the support of their coaches, families, and the tennis fraternity, these youngsters are determined to make their country proud.
As the tournament unfolds, the Zimbabwean team will face stiff competition from other African nations, but their passion, dedication, and skills will undoubtedly make them formidable opponents.
“Yes the competition is stiff but we are positive that we will conquer,” said one of the team members.
The tournament serves as a crucial platform for Africa’s top junior players to showcase their skills. Zimbabwe’s participation is a step towards rebuilding the sport’s reputation and nurturing future talent.
