Boost for Emakhandeni Tennis Open
EMAKHANDENI Tennis Open is set to be bigger this year with more prizes in the offing.
The organisers received an assortment of prizes from various groups to spice up the tournament which is meant to bring the spotlight to tennis in the western suburbs. Emakhandeni Tennis Club chairman, Witness Jiyane said Spain-based Tennis Aid donated medals, t-shirts and tennis shoes that would be on offer to the best players at the tourney. The tournament has been tentatively scheduled for 1 to 3 December.
Jiyane said they had also received balls from South Africa-based tennis coach, Prince Madema, former Emakhandeni players Artwell Mutape and Colbert Ndlovu.
“We hope the medals will be a huge incentive to the players as they would have something to show for their efforts in posterity. Last year our prize list was limited but we managed to get 70 players and this year we are hoping to see more players registering.
“Tennis Aid gave us an assortment of goods that include t-shirts, medals and tennis shoes which I believe are good and enticing prizes. We are also in talks with other sponsors to come on board to ensure the event is bigger,” he said.
The Emakhandeni Open was revived last year following years of absence due to lack of activity at the courts as they were derelict, with a damaged surface that rendered it unplayable. Jiyane said they are hoping a bigger tournament will bring back the spotlight to tennis in the western suburbs which is being revived. He however, bemoaned vandalism of the courts’ boundary fence that had close to eight poles being uprooted late last month.
“The fence is still standing but we are worried the vandalism might continue and make it difficult for us to use the courts. Unfortunately there is no security and thieves can do as they please,” added Jiyane.
Action returned back to Emakhandeni in 2015 following the renovation of the courts by the Zimbabwe National Roads Agency the previous year. The courts were revamped in preparation for the 2014 Africa Union Sports Council Under-20 Youth Games hosted by Bulawayo.
The return of activity at the Emakhandeni Tennis Courts has brought some hope that new tennis stars will be discovered in the high density suburbs.
The tennis club was run by Aaron Mpofu in the 1990s produced several stars in the sport that went on to play for the country while being awarded scholarships abroad.
During the period, the club that produced the likes of Noel Wadawu, the late Dumiso Khumalo, Gloria Mpala, Fadzai Madzimbamuto and Matthew Gumbo.
A potential gem from the club, 10-year-old Zamani Moyo has been holding his own in the local junior circuit showing a lot of promise with his play. that he is using his money and influence to coach despite not having the requisite qualifications to do so. Others also believe he is using the same influence and financial muscle to seize control of the sport in the country.
Another train of thought is that he is taking advantage of Zifa’s “perma-broke” situation to fulfil his own dreams, at the expense of a nation that loves the game and takes his very seriously. The shoal of fish believes that Magaya and the powers that be at Zifa who allow him free reign in the game, are making a mockery of the world’s most beautiful game.
But sober neutrals believe that he is just a man who loves the game and is willing to help when ever called upon and should not be bashed for his passion and his efforts to better football in the country. They believe that Magaya has no ulterior motives behind his involvement in the game, save for what they term an “overzealous streak”.
These self-attested liberals and pragmatics shrug their shoulders and say the damned point when the Magaya argument arises: his money, his game! So after all has been said and done the critical question is: Magaya or no Magaya?