The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
WHEN Spanish tennis coaches, Martin Rocca as well as Abel Rincone visited Emakhandeni Tennis Club in March this year, they were amazed by the talent of Sarah Chipunza.
The 14-year-old Chipunza did not only exhibit brilliant tennis technique but when she did so she was playing the sport bare-footed. Rocca and Rincone recorded a video of Chipunza in action, posted it on Instagram, with a view to get her sponsorship.
A South Africa based Zimbabwean coach Trust Kanyongo has become one of the first to respond to the video by donating two pairs of tennis shoes together with the same number of shirts.
Sarah Chipunza with Martin Rocca.
Witness Jiyane, the Emakhandeni Tennis Club chairman narrated how Chipunza caught the attention of Rocca and Rincone when the two visited the facility early this year. According to Jiyane, Chipunza used to play the sport but had stopped due to financial challenges.
“She attracted the attention of Spanish guys they took a footage of her playing bare-foot and put it out on Instagram hence this donation. Martin Rocco is working on sourcing her financial sponsorship, Martin gave her two racquets that day when they were at Emakhandeni,’’ said Jiyane.
Chipunza, who learns at Emakhandeni Primary School went as far as the second round in the New Winners tournament held in Gweru.
“She started playing tennis at three years ago and stopped because it was expensive so I recalled her because of her potential and financed her local tournaments. She played in Gweru for the first time after being financed by Qoki Zindlovukazi where our food was sponsored by Chicken Inn for the whole team,’’ Jiyane said.
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