The ManicaPost
Blessing Gondokondo Sports Reporter —
MANICALAND’S Mantas Tennis Academy defied all odds at the annual New Winners Tournament held in Harare last Saturday as they dominated in most of the categories held.
During this year’s edition, held from last Wednesday to Saturday hosted by Harare Province, six provinces – Harare, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Midlands, Manicaland and Mashonaland East – were represented.
The tournament is meant to harness and uplift the young tennis talent in pupils. There were categories of seven years and below, who are classified as the Red Ball as well as the Orange Ball, Green Ball, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 18 categories.
Mantas Academy administrator Vincent Nyatoti, applauded their players for raising Manicaland’s flag high.
“We are so proud of the Mantas players who played outstandingly throughout the tournament. We dominated the most as a province at the tournament and were followed by Harare.
“We have some players like Anesu Kwirirai and Nandi Mungulwa who managed to be selected into the national Under 16 team. They will be leaving for the African Junior Tennis Zonal Championships to be held from January 6-16 next year.
“Beverly Matsime and Batsirai Saurombe emerged as Manicaland’s best Under 18 tennis players. Matsime conquered in the girls’ category where she thumped Kimberly Karume of Harare. Saurombe won both the singles and the doubles category partnering Richard Ngwarwi,” said Nyatoti. He added that Mantas Academy will continue with their good work and are already preparing their players for next year’s tennis tournaments.
“We are not stopping and are still registering, coaching and training both the young and the old for 2017 tournaments,” Nyatoti said.
