adminThe move is part of the board’s plans of resuscitating tennis in western areas.
Adam Joelson, the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Tennis Board chairman said Khumbulani Tembo was in charge of the training sessions at White City Stadium courts.
“There are brilliant courts in White City. Those should not be white elephants, they must be put into good use and that is why as the board we have sent some of our coaches to offer training sessions at these areas. We want tennis to be played in all parts of the city.
“We are at White City every Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays and we are grateful to the community as well as some interested players from the area,” said Joelson.
He challenged former players and coaches to contribute to the development of the sport by forming centres, which will offer proper training of aspiring junior players.
Joelson said most countries were introducing tennis centres as part of their developmental strategies and they were now reaping the rewards.
He said tennis facilities at schools and sports clubs should be utilised for developmental projects.
“It is quite encouraging that there are people who have the sport at heart and are committed in the development of tennis from a tender age. People should take a stand and liaise with school officials and the community for use of the facilities. Other countries like South Africa, Botswana and Egypt among others have these centres and you can see that their performances improve at junior circuits.
“Tennis Centres are more of academies where athletes are taught the sport from a tender age and those that are playing get time to perfect their skill. In my view if we could have more centres in the city we will have more players trained thereby having a big pool of players graduating and competing for places in the Provincial teams,” said Joelson.
Tendai Sibanda established a centre at Eveline High School a few years ago where players like Mehluli and Muzi Sibanda train.
Muzi won the boys’ Under-18 Bulawayo Closed Circuit after beating Bryn Langley in the final last year.
The Girls College Tennis Centre has attracted players from Dominican Convent, St Columbus, Gifford, Christian Brothers College and primary schools Whitestone and Henry Low.
At White City, one of the budding coaches is Kudzai Maseba and Nkosinothando Moyo.
“If you look at the state of Mthombowesizwe courts (Entumbane), they are classy and it is only a matter of time before a tennis centre that will benefit the community is set up. We also hope the community in Mabutweni supports tennis because there is life and opportunities in sports. They can take the opportunity to send their kids to White City tennis courts.
“As a board we believe there are talented players in those areas and they only need a place where they can be nurtured. The centre is has about 34 players and this means we have abundant talent lying idle,” said Joelson.
The players who attended yesterday’s sessions came from as far as Lobhengula, Pelandaba and Mpopoma.
“We are excited about this as it takes the kids away from the streets and makes them get busy. It is our hope that this programme will spread to other areas. We are thankful to the Bulawayo Tennis Board for this and we encourage them to take the sport to other areas,” said John Gasela, the resident chairperson.
Online Reporter