Fredrick Moyo
Masvingo-based Inspiration Tennis Academy (ITA) scooped 27 medals in two different tennis tournaments namely Anne Martin Mantas Junior Open (national tournament) and Masvingo Open that were played on December 13-16 2022 and January 4-7, 2023 respectively.
The tournaments were played in different age group categories.
Mantas tournament was hosted at Mutare Girls High while the Masvingo Open tournament was hosted at Kyle College.
Speaking to TellZim News, ITA founder and head coach Privy Fanisai thanked parents for the motivation and support they are giving to their children as tennis is expensive to sponsor.
“I would like to thank the parents for supporting their kids in this sport. Tennis is expensive to sponsor and demands a lot of resources but the parents have been and are there for their kids. Without these supportive parents, the kids would be struggling. I also want to thank the players for the effort and fighting spirit they are showing,” said Fanisai.
She added that she was really happy with the performance her academy showed at both tournaments.
“I am happy with the medals that we managed to collect and also the performance the players put up at the tournaments, it shows they are improving day by day.
“These tournaments are important for our academy as kids meet different people from different places. Players can have opportunities for even foreign scholarships and chances to be in the national team as they will be having the exposure and also after participating at the tournaments, they are given points that will also assist them in making it to the national team. So it is an opportunity for our players to showcase and develop their talents,” added Fanisai.
Recently, ITA player and Ndarama High School student Morgan Mkwanilla was selected to be part of Zimbabwe Under 16 boys tennis team.
“This means a lot to us as ITA and Masvingo Province that one of our own product is representing the National team at a younger age, its proves that the kids are working hard and they know what they want to achieve in the future, said Fanisai.
In the Anne Martin tournament seven participants namely Junior Sitemere, Zvaitwa Sitemere, Lucia Sitemere, Atipaishe Nyadoro, Ropafadzo Muyedzengwa, Mazvita Gava and Anotidaishe Mabaura won 8 medals (2 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze).
While they won 19 medals in the Masvingo Open comprising of 10 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals form 14 participants namely Mazvita Gava, Anopaishe Nyandoro, Zvaitwa Sitemete, Lucia Sitemere, Willstaff Sitemere, Ruvarashe Chinhiya, Morgan Mkwanilla, Tatenda Dehwe, Anotidaishe Mbaura, Ropafadzo Muyedzengwa, Blessing Saravoye, Christwish Mkwenje, Nenyasha Mkwenje and Christable Mkwenje.
