The searchlight’s on the lookout for stars

IN A move to promote tennis at previously disadvantaged areas, the Tennis Buffalo City has started offering free lessons to Mdantsane pupils.

The free lessons started yesterday following a successful talent search and coaching clinic at the Mdantsane NU1 Tennis Court on Tuesday.

The event was called as part of celebrating Human Rights Day.

Tennis Buffalo City chairman, Neil Naidoo said this was the first time they had organised the event to promote the sport in South Africa’s second biggest township.

Naidoo said their goal is to promote tennis in the previously disadvantaged communities and groom youngsters to take over the baton King William’s Town from professional tennis player, Raven Klaasen.

“It is our intention to roll this out to other tennis hubs in Buffalo City like in King William’s Town and Duncan Village.

“Through these tennis talent search coaching clinics, we want to take tennis to communities who have never been exposed to this game due to no proper tennis facilities,” he said.

Naidoo said the coaching clinic was well attended. More than 80 Grade 1 to 7 pupils from Mdantsane turned up.

Aspiring tennis coaches received lessons from clinic leader and tennis player, Avela Ndlabhu, on how to sharpen their coaching methods.

Ndlabhu, 23, who has played tennis since he was five years old said: “I just want to see tennis being promoted in the previously disadvantaged communities and I want these children to have something to do that is continuous.

“The initiative is to expose tennis to young primary school kids so that they can grow into it and gain the necessary experience,” he said.

The participants aged between six and 14, started with their lessons yesterday at 2pm. The programme will run every Wednesday.

As part of sustaining the initiative Tennis Buffalo City donated about 100 tennis balls for the coaches and identified teachers to continue the programme, said Naidoo.

“Promoting school sport and particularly tennis is a priority for us. As we know that it is at primary school where we can identify great tennis players who will hail from the Eastern Cape,” he said.

A lack of sponsors remain a hardhitting factor for the initiative. Naidoo called on BCM municipality, businesses and parents to join the Mphumzi Kose Foundation in supporting the programme.

To donate, e-mail: contact Naidoo on