adminare set to step up their preparations when they hold a one and half week camp in South Africa before their competition starts.
Tennis Zimbabwe named a team made up of four players – United-States based Takanyi Garan’anga and Mbonisi Ndimande, Pauline Chawafambira and Valeria Bhunu who is based in South Africa.
TZ administrator, Cliff Nhokwara said all the players will train with their coach, Gwinyai Tongoona before their departure for Mozambique.
“The players will be going to South Africa for one-and-a half weeks. We are hoping to be in Maputo by the 9th of September because our competition will only start on the 11th. Everyone should be at the ITF centre by the 1st of September,” said Nhokwara.
“Their coach is based in South Africa and the equipment there is better than here. The environment is good for tennis. If they come here there will be interference because they would want to stay with their families but the ITF centre is a tennis environment and we know they will be focusing on tennis,” said Nhokwara.
The TZ administrator said they hopeful that team their players will do well at the Games.
Garan’anga is currently participating in the futures competitions and he was part of the Davis Cup Team that competed in Egypt while Chawafambira was crowned champion in the girls category of the
International Tennis Federation 18-and-Under South and Central African Circuit held in Harare early this month.
The players will be hoping to continue their good performance when they fight for honours with other players from the continent in Maputo.
The TZ administrator said they have higher chances of doing well in the doubles because of the strong combination among the players.
“I think our doubles combinations are strong. Mbonisi and Takanyi were the champions in the Africa Junior championships three years ago.
They should be able to get to the semis or so in the doubles. Pauline recently won the 18-and-Under circuit and Bhunu has been doing well in several tournaments.
“Garan’anga is participating in futures events and was in Davis Cup competition recently. His next tournament is the challenger which is a fairly a bigger tournament.
“With the humidity in Maputo there might a slight chance in the singles because these guys train in very humid conditions in America and the conditions in Maputo will be favorable.
“With the girls it’s very tricky but hopefully they will achieve something. They have been going to motivational speakers to boost them psychologically after recommendation from the association and the parents were willing to help,” said Nhokwara.
Online Reporter