dyton mupawaenda
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TENNIS Zimbabwe acting general manager Linsent Chitiyo is confident their junior tennis teams will rise to the occasion at the ITF/CAT Regionals in Windhoek, Namibia.
The tournament, which caters for 14-and-Under and 16-and-Under categories, comes to life on Friday and runs until January 18.
TZ will be represented in both age groups by a 12-member team that was named yesterday.
The limelight will be on the likes of Rutendo Tom (14-and-Under girls), who had some outstanding moments in 2024, including claiming the ITF/CAT 14-and-Under African Junior Circuit Mozambique Leg 1 and Leg 2 singles and doubles titles.
Chanelle Zhuwakini, to compete in the 16-and-Under girls, and Muchengeti Manzungu, representing the country in the 14-and-Under boys, will be hoping to carry the momentum as they go into their first event of this year.
The regionals serve as a qualifier for the African Junior Championships (AJC) to be held later in the year.
“We are excited and the team looks very strong, looking at how the players have been participating previously in the continental or regional events.
“All our participants have been to the podium, both in singles and doubles.
“We anticipate that we have more of our players qualifying for the AJC and we are not only looking forward just for the AJC team event and the singles events, we are also aiming to qualify for the World Junior teams for Under-14s and also the Junior Fed Cup and Billie Jean for the Under-16s.
“We anticipate that the same team that has been selected and that is representing us also stands higher chances of making it into the junior teams,” said Chitiyo.
Participants are expected to be in Namibia tomorrow and most of Zimbabwe’s players are expected to leave for Namibia today.
Chitiyo said they are looking forward to a busy year with the regional, continental and international events, in which they hope to have representation.
They are expecting to have players at the ITF/CAT Africa Junior Championships 18-and-Under in Cairo, Egypt later this month.
Zimbabwe will host Morocco in the Davis Cup World Group II Play-offs tie on January 31 and February 1 at Harare Sports Club.
TZ are expecting to announce the team soon as they are finalising some logistics. But their top players Benjamin Lock and his young brother Courtney, and Mehluli Sibanda have confirmed their availability. The 12-and-Under have the regional tournament in March.
Zimbabwe’s ITF/CAT Regionals Team
14-and-Under Girls: Rutendo Tom, Emily George, Claire Majeye.
14-and-Under Boys: Muchengeti Manzungu, Joel Badza, Divine Kaliofasi. 16-and-under Girls: Chanelle Zhuwakini, Simphiwe Malunguza, Rutendo Mavhenyengwa.
16-and-Under Boys: Noah-Jnr Samushonga, Tendekai Msabaeka, Tadiwanashe Matambo. Coaches: Terrence Mazungaire, Ethnie Chifamba.
Online Reporter