TENNIS JUNIORS EAGER TO SHINE

MBABANE – We are in it to win it. If you are a champion, you have to have it in your heart. This inspirational quote by Christine Marie Evert, a retired American world number one tennis player defines the ambition of Eswatini’s five junior players who will be competing in the Gauteng East Summer Juniors Tournament in Benoni, South Africa from today until Monday.

The team of players led by coach Gabi Mkhabela and Jerry Mohammed Fears unanimously envisioned a victory in the competition. These players are Thando Bhembe, Uviwe Vilakati, Nonqaba Mkhaliphi, Sakhizwe Malindzisa and Sakhile Hlophe. “We are in it to win it and we will try our best to bring home nothing less than gold. We are confident that we will win and we are grateful to Eswatini National Tennis Association (ENTA) for giving us the chance to compete with more experienced players from other countries,” said Thando Bhembe.

Coach Mkhabela said they had selected the best of Eswatini’s junior players in both girls and boys to represent the Kingdom of Eswatini in the competition, which will also feature players from countries like India, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana among others. Despite the wet weather experienced recently, Mkhabela said the players were physically and mentally ready to compete as they had indoor physical training and psychological preparations.

“I wish my players all the best and the least we can bring home is a bronze otherwise, we have our eyes fixed on achieving gold in all categories. This is the cream de la cream of Eswatini junior tennis and our goal is to see them compete in big international tournaments in future. They are very ambitious and goal driven, so I believe in seeing them reach greater heights,” said Mkhabela.

Coach Mohammed said participating in international tournaments was highly beneficial to the payers, both academically and in development of playing skills. He said that through such competitions, the players stood a chance of being awarded tennis scholarships to study abroad and make the best of their future in career and sport.

“My vision with that of Eswatini National Tennis Association is to build a strong team out of these juniors and watch tehm prosper in the sport. I am quite excited by their winning spirit and high ambitions and if they keep that up, they will surely go far,” said Mohammed.
He further thanked ETF for facilitating their trip and appealed to sponsors for support, considering the high costs of participating in international competitions.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: