SOME OF THE RESULTS:
MBABANE – “We are building a united team to represent the Lubombo Region.” This was the feeling shared by Siteki Tennis Academy coach and head of the development programme, Njabulo Mbhamali during t he first ever inter- club tennis tournament featuring his former team, Mhlume Tennis Club and the newly- established Siteki Tennis Club. Team Siteki comprised of 15 players from the Siteki tennis development programme while Mhlume Tennis Club led by Coach Gabi Mkhabela paraded a combination of experienced players and beginners aged between 12 and 16 years.
Pleased with t he i nterrelation between the two clubs, Mbhamali said their goal was to create a united front since these were currently the only tennis teams based in the Lubombo Region.
IN- HOUSE TOURNAMENTS
Mbhamali said hosting the inter- club t ournaments as well as t he weekly in- house tournaments at the academy helped in measuring the players’ progress in mastering the art of tennis. She also explained that since the launch of the programme in the past four months, some players had graduated from playing mini tennis to a full court format.
“I am happy to see the level of competition displayed by some of our new players who managed to beat the more experienced ones in full court play. I am happy with the results because they show the engagement and growth of tennis in Siteki. The children were happy t o compete especially i n t he absence of the national championships which were stalled by COVID- 19,” said Mbhamali.
Eswatini Tennis Association’s ( ETA) Secretary General Nqaba Mkhaliphi thanked the coaches for their enthusiasm, patience and dedication. Mkhaliphi said the ETA’s target was to host national tournaments in the Lubombo Region as they are normally staged at Lobamba or Kwaluseni.
“We can see t he progress and t he commitment of t he coaches i s i mpressive. We hope that players from the Lubombo Region make it to the national team. Even though we could not have the African Junior Championships due to COVID- 19, all is not lost because this is the time to prepare ahead and we hope that by the time we host national championships, the
Under- 12
1. Zizwe Matse – Siteki
2. Letho Mkhonta – Mhlume
3. Philiswa Bashasha – Siteki NOTE; Expect more results in tomorrow’s publication.
Lubombo Region will be ready,” said Mkhaliphi.
Meanwhile, Siteki dominated t he under- 12 category as Sizwe Matse claimed championship ahead of runner- up Letho Mkhonta from Mhlume and Philiswa Bashasha from Siteki was placed third.