The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
LESS than a year after he travelled to the United States of America to take up a tennis scholarship, Bulawayo’s rising star Zamani Moyo has received yet another bursary, this time to the prestigious Howard University worth US$20 000 per annum.
Howard University
Moyo left for the US in August last year after obtaining a scholarship to Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois, which he had secured a place through assistance from tennis coach Eric Sturgis.
When Sturgis moved to Iowa Central Community College, he moved with Moyo.
The 18-year-old Moyo, from Emakhandeni did not take time to settle in the US as he secured a top 50 ranking in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association as the 33rd best player.
That has attracted the attention of Howard University who have given him a Division 1 athletic scholarship, which will see him continue with his tennis career while pursuing his studies.
Moyo is in the country to spend time with his family before he heads back to the US.
He is delighted to be heading to an institution known for its principal mission of serving and educating the black community.
“I feel so excited because not everyone goes to Howard University because it’s a very prestigious institution and at the same time to get that opportunity to be part of the Bison family is very prestigious.
I have never expected to be going to study at Howard University,’’ Moyo said.
His desire is to become a dentist, something he will be able pursue at Howard University.
Zamani’s grandmother, Siboniso Moyo is happy to see the grandchild getting further opportunities to improve his life.
Tennis Star Zamani Moyo and Grandma Siboniso Moyo
“We are happy for Zamani, he told us that he is changing locations, we pray that whatever he wishes for, it goes the way he wants.
We had no idea that tennis could take him places, tennis has uplifted his life, it’s also going to uplift our lives,’’ said the grandmother.
Sturgis said the scholarship covers most of the expenses but they still have to fundraise to cover the difference.
He is proud to see Moyo getting the scholarship and attributes securing the funding to the lad’s tenacity.
“I could not be more proud of Zamani, for all of the hard work he has put in to earn this scholarship.
He is so deserving and will represent Howard University with pride,’’ said Sturgis.
According to Sturgis, Moyo is heading back to the US soon where he will be training during the rest of the American summer in North Carolina and staying with a former Zimbabwean tennis player, Patrick Mlauzi.
Follow on Twitter @Mdawini_29
