Sports Reporter
POLOKWANE- Upcoming top Masvingo tennis youngsters held their own at the recently held Baobab Mini 2 tennis tournament in the South African city of Polokwane in Limpopo Province.
The tournament was held at Polokwane Tennis Club from where nine young players from Masvingo Province proved their mettle and showcased their raw talents during the regional tournament.
Head coach, Masvingo Province Development Officer and founder of Inspirational Tennis Academy, Privy Fanisai, who is sharpening the young stars’ skills told The Midweek Watch that the players did their best and performed well at the tournament.
Boys under 12 player, Atipaishe Nyandoro got a Silver medal and in third place was Anotidaishe Mbaura from Junior Primary School.
In Under 12 Girls, Helen Mcghie pupils Ropafadzo Muyedzenga got a Gold medal and Mazvita Gava was on 5th position.
Girls under 14 category from Kyle Preparatory, Ruth Muzhuzha was on 7th position and in the boys under 14, Jacob Paradza from Francis Aphiri was on third place,
Morgan Mkwanilla won gold in both singles and doubles, and Tatenda Dembwe got a Gold medal on doubles and 4th position on singles.
Tawananyasha Musendekwa was on 5th place and all under 16 boys were from Ndarama High School.
Fanisai thanked the respective player’s schools as well as the parents of the young players for pulling resources together and making the trip to South Africa a success
“Many thanks to Masvingo Tennis Board, Ndarama High School, Francis Aphiri, Kyle and other parents for supporting their kids.
“Ndarama High School and Francis Aphiri School sponsored their own tennis players whilst the rest of players were sponsored by their parents.
“We are asking for a permanent tennis court so that children won’t have to pay $1 each day as practise fee at the Sports Club because this affects most of the talented players who cannot afford it on a daily basis,” Fanisai said.
In 2021 two of the students from the Academy got student athletic Scholarships for their outstanding performance thus Mlungisi Mhlanga (19) and James Makaranga (18).
Mhlanga is studying Sports Science at Lewis College and Makaranga studying Engineering at Clark Community College in Illinois, USA.
