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Tinashe Kusema
TENNIS ZIMBABWE has started preparing for the Davis Cup fixture away to Finland.
Zimbabwe will visit the European country in March next year for a Europe/Africa Zone Group II tie and TZ president Regis Bhunu reveals that $30 000 is needed for the trip.
“Prior to the announcement that we will be travelling to Finland next year for our next Davis Cup fixture, we had already done our budgets for 2016.
“The projected amount for an away fixture is in the region of about $30 000, but that amount doubles and sometimes can even triple when we have to host a team.
“This means that the fact that we have to travel to Finland is actually a good thing and we have already sat as a board to discuss the modalities,” said Bhunu.
The TZ boss added that they have since started approaching prospective sponsors.
“As a board, we have already begun lobbying for sponsorship, while the convener of selectors is sounding out and keeping tabs on the players.
“We expect a full report and announcement from the selection panel in the coming weeks while the board looks into the sponsorship aspect of things.
“The money will go into the travelling expenses, allowances, training kits and all incidentals that go into an away trip.
“We also hope to have the team camp in Finland for about two weeks before the games,” he said.
Commenting on the tie, Bhunu described Zimbabwe’s chances as fairly good.
“We haven’t yet finished our scouting report but from the information I have at the moment, our chances are fairly good,” he said.
“There is little to separate us in terms of rankings, as Finland (55) is just ten rungs above Zimbabwe (65) on the rankings.
“Their top player has retired, while our players are very active on the international stage which leaves us level in terms of experience and talent.
“It may go down to who is hungrier for success on the day.”
The meeting between Zimbabwe and Finland, slated for March 4-6, will be the second Davis Cup tie between the two nations.
The last time these two nations met was back in 1996, and Zimbabwe came out 4-1 victors.
Another win for Zimbabwe will see them meet the victors of the tie between Georgia and Demark in the second round matches slated for July next year.
A loss to Finland, however, will then see Zimbabwe having to fight to stay in the Europe/Africa Group II.
Online Reporter