adminIn a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, Tennis Zimbabwe administrator Cliff Nhokwara said most of the players representing the country at the Africa Junior Championships Southern Zone were using a tournament that is underway in the capital as part of their preparations.
The only player who is not in Harare is Bulawayo’s Masiyephambili student, Tanaka Chabata
Chabata will compete in the Under-12 boys’ category and has been training with his coach Petros Ndlovu at the Bulawayo Athletic Club.
“We do not have a camp for the players as most of them are using the tournament that is being held at Harare Sports Club as part of their preparations.
“The team will leave for Namibia on Thursday soon after the final by road and we expect them to be in Windhoek on Friday. They will then relax and have a feel of the Africa Junior Championships Southern Zone venue on Saturday,” said Nhokwara.
He said a number of international scouts were expected to attend the Namibian competition.
“These Junior Championships present our players with a golden opportunity to catch the eyes of scouts and possibly get invited for international tournaments like the Junior Wimbledon among others. It is at such competitions that players might as well get scholarships to study and play tennis in countries like the United States of America,” Nhokwara said.
The travelling coaches for the Africa Junior Championships Southern Zone are Mutare’s Freeman Nyamunokora and Lincent Chitiyo of Harare.
Squad
UNDER-12: (Boys) Tanaka Chabata, (Girls) Kim Bhunu and Beverly Matsiwe
UNDER-14: (Boys) Tadiwa Chinamwa and Keith Mwashida, (Girls) Keren Muswere and Karen Machisa
UNDER-16: (Boys) Courtney Lock and Allwan Mushonga, (Girls) Thabisile Tshatedi and Latifa Yasini.
Online Reporter