TZ shift attention to youth
YOUNG Kuzivaishe Chapepa carries the hopes of the nation as the 13-year-old is expected to lead a six-member team to Togo for the Africa Junior Championships next week.
The South Africa-based tennis star is currently the number one ranked player in the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) and will be one of the country’s medal hopefuls.
Tennis Zimbabwe (TZ) yesterday announced a strong six-member team that will comprise four girls and two boys in the Under-14 tennis tournament in the West African country.
These include the girls’ quartet of Chapepa, Akeelah Khanye, Rufaro Ruwanza, Rutendo Tomu, and the boys’ duo of Noah Samushonga and Muchengeti Manzungu.
Much like he did during the recent CAT and International Tennis Federations (ITF) Southern African Junior and Team Championships, held in Namibia, Terrence Mazingaire is set to continue his duties as coach.
Speaking at the team announcement, TZ president Walter Jera was bursting with confidence as the team, as he puts it, appears to be very strong.
Also, the tournament and Zimbabwe’s recent success as the Southern African Junior and Team Championship are the fruits of the association’s Junior Tennis Initiative.
“The Africa Junior Championship is the pinnacle of the Under-14 junior tennis on the continent, and provides an important platform for our players to test themselves against the best in the continent,” said Jera.
It is against this background that we are delighted to be sending such a strong and competent team.
“This competition is an important part of the development pathway for the junior tennis players with the potential to become the next generation of tennis professionals for our country.
“We believe by investing in junior tennis we are building a solid foundation for future success.
“Our drive to identify, nurture, and develop tennis talent has seen Tennis Zimbabwe partnering with the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) who have come in with a milestone sponsorship by providing airfares for the team.
“Further, TZ has partnered with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in the implementation of the Junior Tennis Initiative in all the Tennis Provinces in a bid to broaden the sport,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee’s chief executive officer, Marlene Chiedza Gadzirayi.
“Youth sports development is at the core of our mission at the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, as we believe in nurturing and empowering young talents to represent our country on the global stage,” said Gadzirayi.
“Our goal is to pave the way for these talented individuals to showcase their skills and bring pride to Zimbabwe.
“As we look ahead to the Youth Olympics in 2026 in Dakar, we are dedicated to preparing our young talents for success and excellence.
“By investing in their training, development, and participation in international competitions like the Africa Junior Championship, we are laying the foundation for a bright future for Zimbabwean sports,” she said. Gadzirayi went on to reveal how three top Zimbabwean junior players have been selected to attend a training pro-gram in Senegal later this year.
“The excellence showcased by Sasha Chimedza, (Kuzivaishe) Chapepa, and Emmly George has opened doors to opportunities such as their selection to participate in the ITF African Regional Training Centre Programme for Tennis in Senegal,” she said.
“This initiative reaffirms our dedication to equipping our athletes with the necessary resources to excel and compete at the highest levels. “The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee stands firm in its commitment to empowering our youth and shaping them into formidable representatives of our nation on the global sporting stage,” she said.
ENGLISH Cricket County side, Durham County Cricket Club arrived in the country yesterday for its pre-season tour.
The county cricket side made its maiden trip to Zimbabwe last year before going on to have a successful season in the Vitality T20 league.
As part of their pre-season tour, the English County side has returned to the country for another dance.
Durham Director of Cricket, Marcus North, expressed his side’s delight in touring Zimbabwe in an interview with the club’s website.
“We are extremely excited to be returning to Zimbabwe for our pre-season tour after receiving an invitation from Zimbabwe Cricket.
“Having returned last year, it was a great experience for the lads, which set us up perfectly for our successful 2023 sea-son,” said North.
During their upcoming tour to Zimbabwe, Durham County Cricket Club is set to play both the white and red-ball cricket.
North believes the county side will benefit from the pre-season tour.
“Our players and staff will gain valuable experience along with match preparation against quality opposition leading into our summer.
“As our successful winter training is coming to a close this tour will provide fantastic preparation for the lads,” he said.
Durham Cricket County Club will play two three-day warm-up fixtures before participating in the upcoming T20 domes-tic season league.
North feels Durham’s participation in the Zimbabwe T20 domestic season league will be key in his charges preparation for the upcoming Vitality Blast T20.
“The opportunity to feature in Zimbabwe’s domestic tournament is also really exciting, this will provide the whole squad with some good quality Vitality Blast T20 match practice which we wouldn’t be able to replicate back in Durham,” said Norton.
Durham is one of the two county sides expected to be hosted by Zimbabwe in their pre-season tour and North is happy with the relationship that is being built by the two parties.
“We have built up a strong relationship with Cricket Zimbabwe and this trip enables us to further work alongside an international governing body, we are very thankful to Cricket Zimbabwe for their support on this tour,” said North.