Local tennis star may have hopes dashed due to funds

A DREAM to play for the South African tennis team is fast fading for George Randall’s budding tennis star Sisipho Ndlabhu.

Sisipho has been selected for the South African U13 team to tour Malaysia later this year after her consistently top tennis form over the last few years caught the eye of national selectors.

It is a massive opportunity for the number one ranked Border U13 player to get immeasurably valuable exposure and unprecedented international tennis experience.

But the young girl could be set for heartbreak as the South African Schools’ Tennis Association and the South African Tennis association both claim to not have the funds.

“Tennis South Africa does not fund South African schools’ tennis,” said Chairperson of SA Schools Tennis Noel Adams.

“So any tournaments that is organised by SA schools has to be paid by the parents,” said Adams.

The total cost to participate in the tournament is R27 000, a steep price which Sisipho’s father, Shoes Ndlabhu fears may not be possible.

Shoes says that he has contacted all the relevant bodies in connection to this in an effort to secure the necessary help.

“I have made the initial, non-refundable R5 000 down payment but R27 000 is a lot of money,” said Shoes.

“I want my daughter to have this experience of representing her country, but I am battling to raise the full amount,” said Shoes.

Sisipho also does not have a sponsor, so her family are forced to finance everything that she needs to play the sport she loves at the highest possible level.

“We try to assist parents who are battling to pay as best we can,” said Adams.

“Parents can write a letter explaining their difficulties and we can then appeal to the department of sports, who occasionally help with funding.”

“Last year a few of the players were helped out by their provincial sports departments, but not all agree to help,” said Adams.

The department of sport and recreation of Border, when contacted, informed Shoes that they do not handle such matters and referred him to the Eastern Cape education department, who have still not as yet replied to his queries.

The tournament, which runs from the 23rd November until the December 6, must be paid in monthly increments and in full by October if they are to be eligible to play.

“If all else fails I will have to appeal to a few businesses to try and help me out,” said Shoes.