The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
PROMISING tennis players are set to get a chance to train under international coaches when they attend a Confederation of African Tennis session in Mauritius starting tomorrow.
The ITF/CAT Regional Training Camp is meant for players from Southern Africa.
Four players aged 12 and under are set to undergo training before heading to a 14 and under tournament where they will take on players from other countries and their compatriots.
Speaking from Mauritius, Tennis Zimbabwe Cliff Nhokwara said the training sessions are aimed at equipping promising juniors with the requisite skills to progress in their careers.
“We identified local up-and-coming players that have been doing well on the local circuit and have shown a lot of promise and selected them to attend this course which is vital in their development.
“The players will go through coaching sessions held by CAT selected coaches from Monday (tomorrow ) up to Thursday before they play in the CAT 14 and under tournament that starts on Friday.”
Nhokwara said the training sessions were only targeted at players aged 12 and below as part of CAT’s grooming programme.
Players that will make up the Zimbabwe delegation in the Indian Ocean island nation are Takura Muhwandagara, Thompson Thomu, Nathan Tsaura, Tanyaradzwa Midzi, Tadiwanashe Mauchi, Sasha Chimedza, Kudzai Chapepa, Zara El Zein, Ruvarashe Magarira and Anatsa Mutasa.
They will be led by former Davis Cup player Martin Dzuwa.
Bulawayo-based 11-year-old Chapepa was rewarded for her sterling performances over the past year that has seen her dominate her age groups and clinch several tournaments and included in the traveling party.
Her father, Fradreck Chapepa said his daughter was pleased with her selection and was hoping that the experience will prove vital as she encroaches onto the 14 and under tournaments despite her young age.
“We are happy she will be getting training from CAT coaches and believe it will impact positively as she furthers her career. We believe such exposure at an early age will allow her to improve her skills going forward,” he said.
