Tennis Zimbabwe goes to schools to garner interest in pupils

TENNIS Zimbabwe is making a concerted effort to partner with schools and involve more young players in its Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI).

The ambitious project aims to generate interest and improve the standard of the game. The importance placed on the JTI was emphasised by the recent visit of Tapiwa Masunga, the International Tennis Federation’s development officer for Southern Africa.

Masunga toured schools and centres in the Midlands region, which have 453 boys and girls learning tennis in Mberengwa and Zvishavane under the JTI with the help of local coach Walter Chitopo.

As part of the visit, Masunga also attended the launch of the ZimFit schools programme, where she discussed junior tennis development in schools with Provincial Education Directors and representatives from the National Association of Primary School Heads.

Meanwhile, six players have been selected to represent Zimbabwe in the Billie Jean King Cup in Nairobi, Kenya, which kicks off today and concludes on June 15.

The team includes Kudzaishe Chapepa, Sasha Chimedza, Rufaro Magarira, Tadiwanashe Mauchi, Tanyaradzwa Midzi and Liberty Nzula.

Zimbabwe will compete against teams from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, Nigeria, Uganda, Burundi, Ghana, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Botswana and the hosts Kenya.— @NkosieLegend.