NTA starts 2012 with ace performance

THE Namibian Tennis Association (NTB) played host to 104 of Southern Africa’s best junior tennis players at the ITF/CAT Southern Africa Junior Championships which concluded last Saturday.

Bob Mould, president of the NTA, said: “We were proud to host this important tournament which brought together the best young tennis players from 11 different countries.”

Players from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe participated in the weeklong competition.

Twenty-one junior players from Namibia participated in the event, and while many showed promise and progress, Sedi Jacobs had the best results. At 14 years of age, Sedi played in the Under-16 category and placed second, losing to top-seeded Theresa van Zyl from South Africa in the final.

“There are tournaments being held in East, West and North Africa, as well as here in Southern Africa, and the best results from each age group will qualify for the Africa Championships which will be held later this year in Egypt,” noted Shepherd Manyumbo, the tournament referee from Zimbabwe.

Given her results in the Southern African Championships, Sedi Jacobs will be invited to represent Namibia at the Africa Championships.

Johan Theron, the tournament director, stressed: “Our juniors need this type of exposure. Unless they play against the best of the best, they won’t improve, so hosting this tournament and being able to send our top players to events in other countries is very important for Namibian tennis.”

At the prize-giving ceremony, Mould congratulated the players and the sponsors, without whom the tournament would not have happened. “For tennis to grow in Namibia, we need corporate support.”

For the ITF/CAT Southern Africa Junior Championships, Shell Namibia donated N$50 000, a vital contribution that made the event possible. Pupkewitz Motors/Nissan provided vehicles for transporting the players, while Namibia Beverages supplied cool drinks and a tent for the tournament.

Other supporters included Plascon Paints, Southern Cross Services, Plastic Warehouse and Klein Windhoek Guest House who provided accommodation for the players at significantly reduced rates.

“We look forward to a long relationship with these sponsors,” added Mould, “and with their support, we will continue to attract competitive events and encourage more Namibian juniors to start playing tennis.”