Zimbabwe to host ITF Futures tournaments

28 Sep, 2014 - 00:09 0 Views

The Sunday News

ZIMBABWE is gearing up to play host to two International Tennis Federation Futures tournaments on a hard outdoor surface at Harare Sports Club next month.
The first would be the Twenty Third Century Systems bankrolled tournament which runs from 13 October to 19 October, which will be followed by the Net One sponsored event from 20 to 26 October.

Both tournaments have prize money of $15 000 while the prize structure would be decided by an ITF appointed match referee.

Entries for the Twenty Third Century Systems Futures Tournament closed last Thursday, while those who want to take part in the NetOne Future Tournament have until Thursday to confirm participation. The ITF is taking care of all logistics with the entry fee pegged at $40.

A field of 32 singles players is expected for both tournaments while 16 pairs are anticipated for the doubles.
Tennis Zimbabwe administrator Clifford Nhokwara, said besides the tournament referee, the ITF was also seconding two white badge chair umpires and one bronze badge umpire who are going to be assisted by local officials in the handling of matches.

Nhokwara pointed out that the two tournaments would give an opportunity to up and coming players to decide either they wanted to play tennis at a professional level or pursue their studies.

“These tournaments are a platform for players to experiment, get to decide if they want to take up tennis at a professional level. The tournaments are also an opportunity for players to earn world ranking points,’’ said Nhokwara, adding that players were free to enter the two tournaments which are not related.

United States of America based Zimbabwean Takanyi Garanganga, ranked 288 in the ITF rankings won the last ITF Futures tournament staged in the country in 2012 which was bankrolled by Twenty Third Century Systems over South African Keith Crowley.

The 24-year-old right handed Garanganga, a member of the Zimbabwe Davis Cup team which recently earned promotion to the 2015 Davis Cup Euro/Africa Zone Group Two with a 2-0 triumph over Namibia would be a favourite for the two tournaments.

With the tennis courts at Bulawayo Athletic Club currently undergoing renovations for the African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games to be held in Bulawayo in December, Nhokwara said they were looking for sponsors to finance the holding of an ITF Futures Tournament in Zimbabwe’s second largest city. Bulawayo last hosted Futures in 2007 then bankrolled by NMB Bank, at BAC.

 

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