adminNkosilathi Sibanda Sports Reporter
FREEMAN Nyamunokora coach for the Zimbabwe tennis team yesterday called on his players to up their game ahead of their first challenge this morning at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games.Zimbabwe is represented by four players, two boys Ronzai Saurombe and Taremedzwa Mariga. The girls are Rufaro Chirewa and seasoned champion Valeria Bhunu.
The gaffer, who is also Tennis Zimbabwe’s national selector, said it was high time the players made a mark and bag points to earn international recognition.
“All I’m saying is that my players mustn’t lose. We don’t want to have disappointments.”
He said the Zimbabwe team will use home advantage to rake valuable world ranking points in this sixth AUSC Under 20 Youth Games meet.
This year the Zimbabwean quartet of players travelled around the globe to play in major tournaments in order to earn valuable points.
“This is an important tournament for our players. It’s the only chance to improve on their world rankings. Everyone is expected to do well taking into consideration that they will be playing at home,” he said.
Other competing countries also had a feel of the Bulawayo Athletics Club courts. In the afternoon, teams gave each other chances on the five hard surface courts.
Meanwhile, line and chief umpires made final familiarisation of BAC’s courts. They spent the day concentrating on lines, call ups and revising rules and regulations of the game.
According to regulations as prescribed by the International Tennis Federation, the chair umpire is much more than just the person who sits in a high chair and announces the score. They are the guardians of the rules and enforce them to ensure a match is played in a spirit of fair play.
Team work is the key to being a successful line umpire. Not only do they call all shots related to their assigned line, they also work together with the chair umpire so that the match is played in a professional and fair manner.
Online Reporter