Wheelchair tennis team sends SOS

The team needs at least US$4 500 to cater for air tickets and equipment.
But the Wheelchair Tennis Association of Zimbabwe, which has been reeling under financial challenges, has indicated that they are failing to raise the money.
WTAZ president, Olga Chisango, said they were running out of time as the team was pencilled in to leave on Monday next week for Nairobi.
The qualifiers are scheduled to start from February 28 to March 2.
The team received a grant from the International Tennis Federation but it is only catering for accommodation and transport during their stay in Kenya.
“We have not been able to raise any money at all, although we have sent requests to a number of corporate bodies including the airlines that fly the Harare-Nairobi route. The grant extended by the ITF means that they are already entered into the competition and we may even face penalties for the likely last minute withdrawal. The grant covers transport and accommodation only,” said Chisango.
Zimbabwe have named a three-member-team made up of Dorcas Hwatira, Molin Muza and Nyarai Nechiturike with Derek Ndaramashe as the team coach.
Chisango said the tournament was a grand opportunity for local players to get exposure.
“The reason for entering the ladies in the competition is to give them the much needed exposure on the international level as this improves their game tremendously. As tennis is based on ranking, the individual’s ranking also goes up significantly in line with the more tournaments they take part in.
“Also the level of competition at the tournament helps towards increasing a person’s ranking. So, failure to participate in these international tournaments means that our local game remains stagnant and non lucrative for the players as they will not be able to make a living from the sports,” said Chisango.
Last year Zimbabwe made their debut appearance at the World Team Cup when they sent a junior team to compete and were hoping to field a women’s team this year.