The ManicaPost
Senior Sports Reporter
LONG serving Mantas Tennis Academy director of coaching, Freeman Nyamunokora, together with his understudy, Michael Matanga, have joined forces to open a thriving academy christened Tennis Base in Harare.
The academy which opened doors to the public in January has Nyamunokora as the head coach, while Matanga is his deputy.
The former Davis Cup team non-playing captain, Nyamunokora, who served Mantas Tennis Academy for 12 years moved to the capital early this year.
In a telephone interview this week, Nyamunokora said he opted out of Mantas Tennis Academy as a way to face new challenges in his career.
“We formed Tennis Base together with Miracle Matanga and he is my assistant here. This is a new baby that we sincerely hope will one day grow to Mantas Tennis Academy levels. I personally moved on in order to face new challenges.
“There was nothing wrong nor bad blood when I left Mantas. In fact, I am still part of Mantas in a way. I still have some clinics as well as training session schedules that I work with Mantas. Mantas will always be a part of me.
“Currently we are working with different age groups and we are also working with promising players such as Michael Gutu and Munashe Chingono to mention a few.
“Being in the capital city also helps me to execute my duties as an ITF tutor easily. It is unlike when I have to travel to and from Mutare on a regular basis since most of the programmes are done here in Harare,†said Nyamunokora.
The former Mantas Tennis Academy director for coaching who was the non playing captain for the Davis Cup team in 2011 and 2012 reunited with Matanga in Harare after the latter left Mutare in 2013.
Nyamunokora’s tenure as the Davis Cup team non-playing captain came during the era of a crop of players that include Takanyi Garanganga, Benjamin Lock, Mark Fyn and Tendai Tapfuma.
To his credit, Nyamunokora was instrumental in nurturing talent in Mutare and about 16 players who played at Mantas under his tutelage have represented the nation at various regional and international competitions.
The 16 who are now in the United States of America include, Pauline Chawafambira, Ronzai Saurombe, Kuda Nyatoti, Leratto Ndlovu, Kudakwashe and Edward Sengai, Ngoni Makambwa, Kerren Muswere, Glory Zhou, Simba Happy, Munashe Mukuni and Taremerdzwa Mariga among others.
