Times Of Swaziland: THANDO, LUCHING REIGN SUPREME

THANDO, LUCHING REIGN SUPREME
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BY THEMBA ZWANE on 15/04/2019 08:49:00


MATSAPHA – Thando Bhemba and Luching Sorokhaibam proved to be the best junior
tennis players ahead of both Eswatini and Mozambique competitors.
The duo won the Swaziland Building Society (SBS) Juniors Invitational grand
finale. Luching defeated Rosemary Adams 6-0, 3-0 in the final of the under-18s
girls’ category where the latter lost after retiring. Thando, on the other
hand, emerged victorious in a highly-contested match after defeating Sakhile
Hlophe 6-4, 6-4. Meanwhile, in the under-14s boys’ category, Mozambique’s
Milton Daniel was named the champion after beating Uviwe Vilakati 4-2, 4-2.
Sakhizwe Malindzisa of Mhlume won the Under-14s girls category after defeating
Luching’s younger sister Barika Sorokhaibam 4-2, 2-4, 4-3 in the finals of
this category.
The champions received cash prizes, which were presented by Eswatini National
Tennis Association (ENTA) President Maxwell Jele. They were also awarded
trophies and medals for being the best in the tournament. Thando said he was
very happy with his achievement and said it was evident that his game had
improved greatly. “I am very happy and grateful to my coach Jerry Fears. I can
only encourage upcoming tennis players to continue working hard as there are a
number of opportunities in tennis,” said the Elangeni High Form II pupil.
Luching said she was overjoyed especially with the fact that she competed
against a very good newcomer in Rosemary. “It was a tough final. I’m happy I
have won against Rosemary,” she said. Sakhizwe also expressed joy over winning
the Under-14s girls category and thanked her coach. The junior tennis star
advised her final competitor to work even harder to match her in future
tournaments.