adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
TENNIS Zimbabwe are hopeful the upcoming ITF Level Three coaching course at Harare Sports Club will go a long way in contributing to the development of the sport in the country.
The course, which starts on November 25, will run until December 8, with coaches from the Southern African countries taking part, as well as Kenya.
TZ manager Cliff Nhokwara said they were excited to be hosting the course for the first time after applying to the International Tennis Federation in the first half of the year to have the course in Zimbabwe.
“It’s the highest certification for tennis coaches, so it focuses on professional tennis, that’s advanced players’ coaching.
“We have been speaking with a number of Level Two coaches and all of them were due to go to the next stage.
“So, obviously, with ITF picking us to host the Level Three, it means they are giving us a nod on what’s is happening in Zimbabwe in terms of tennis,’’ said Nhokwara.
The course will be run by ITF expert Riaan Kruger, Andre de Beer and Freeman Nyamunokora. Zimbabwe have two Level Three certified coaches, Nyamunokora and Gwinyai Tongoona.
Nhokwara said they have six local coaches who are set to attend the upcoming course, as they seek to increase the numbers.
One of the coaches, Miracle Matanga, said this was a welcome development.
“I think the course is going to bring a lot of new things. I am looking forward to the course,’’ he said.
Other local coaches set to attend are former Davis Cup team captain Martin Dzuwa, Petros Sibanda, Vincent Nyatoti, George Sibanda and Alison Fryer.
The coaching course is being funded by the Olympic Solidarity through the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.
Meanwhile, Tennis Zimbabwe are expected to hold their elective general meeting this Saturday at Harare Sports Club.
A new executive is set to be ushered into office. All posts are up for grabs from the presidency, vice president and the four executive members positions.
Biggie Magarira has been the acting president since February following the resignation of Martin Lock.
Magarira is vying for the president’s post.
Online Reporter