Junior tennis players impress

MARISELLE STOFBERG

The Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) Junior Masters tournament created a platform for young tennis players to showcase their talents this past weekend.

Hosted by Trustco Group Holdings and NTA, the event was by invitation only. Players qualified to participate based on their ranking points.

Players competed in categories from under-10 to under-18.

Neville Basson, the head of corporate communications at Trustco, expressed satisfaction with the way the tournament turned out.

“We were excited to have our juniors back for a final showdown on our own courts. Several of our age groups travelled the past few months and also throughout the year to compete in international events and the experience they gained there was on show at the various tennis courts around Windhoek,” Basson said.

“Initially the games were quite difficult, but I’m proud of what I accomplished. I shot some great shots and made friends, whilst playing the sport I love,” said 14-year-old Leandre Louw.

For Lemuel Kahindi, the tournament provided him with an opportunity to really showcase his skills. “I love tennis because not only is it entertaining to watch, but it has helped me to grow in my self-confidence and has helped me to believe in myself more.”

The chairperson of Junior Tennis Namibia, Santie van der Walt, said they are grateful for the Trustco Group’s sponsorship of this tournament.

“They have shown time and time again how much of a priority their social investment in local tennis is. Different sporting codes like cricket and athletics have raised the Namibian flag to a level not seen before. For tennis, it is Trustco’s contribution that allows that to happen for us as well.”

Results

u/10 boys

1. Johan Theron (won the finals with a score of 8-2)

2. De Witt Bergh

3. Luke Alvarey

u/10 girls

1. Linda Alemu (won the finals with a score of 8-1)

2. Elrica Nakusera

3. Emma Brinkmann

u/12 boys

1. Lian Kuhn (won the finals with 6-1 and 6-3)

2. Samuel Nel

3. Brian Edwards

u/12 girls

1. Joanivia Bezuidenhout (won the finals with 6-3 and 6-3)

2. Minenhle Moyo

3. Hane Schierschmidt

u/14 boys

1. Ruan Calitz (won the finals with 6-4,2-6 and 10-8)

2. Eduan Schollij

3. Antonio Tchivanda

u/14 girls

1. Santie Van der Walt (won the finals with 6-2 and 6-1)

2. Leandre Louw

3. Hayley Kidd

u/16 boys

1. Sarel Janse van Rensburg (won the finals with 6-0 and 6-0)

2. Joel Hiveluah

3. Juan Kuhn

u/16 girls

1. Elze Stears (won the finals with 6-2 and 6-1)

2. Larushka Kruger

3. Dominique Theron

u/18 boys

1. George Louw (won the finals with 6-4 and 7-5)

2. Daniel Jauss

3. Johannes Swartz