adminThe Super Eight event was introduced this year to cater for top eight local junior tennis players and was held in conjunction with the New Winners, a developmental tournament, from January 2 to 5 with 130 players taking part in the two events.
The two tournaments saw participants taking part in four-age groups – Under-12, 14, 16 and 18 – with the Super Eight acting as a warm-up event for the players who will take part in the African Junior Championships Zone VI set to take off tomorrow in Windhoek, Namibia.
TZ administrator, Cliff Nhokwara, said they were hoping to take the event to other provinces so that they promote players from different parts of the country.
“The tournament will not only be in Harare but we are going to spread it into other provinces.
“We are not yet sure where we are going to have the tournament but Harare, Mutare, Midlands and Bulawayo will host the Super Eight tournaments and then TZ will host the master Super Eight in December,” said Nhokwara.
Nhokwara commended the quality of play in the Super Eight. However, the TZ administrator said they noted that although there was a good turnout for the New Winners competition, there was need for improvement in some age groups.
“In terms of numbers the tournament was successful, we had quite a number of juniors who participated.
“In the New Winners, in some of the age groups, we still need to work on them to improve the standard.
“The idea of the New Winners is to encourage players who would not have won anything in other tournaments.
“It gives them the opportunity to grab prizes and acquire more points and that would allow them to participate in ITF events.
“They will be able to challenge those in the Super Eight,’ said Nhokwara.
Online Reporter