Youngsters enhance tennis skillsNamibia’s budding tennis stars were given exposure during their participation at the Cossasa Ball Games in Botswana. Team gets much-needed international exposure Namibia’s budding tennis stars were given exposure during their participation at the Cossasa Ball Games in Botswana. Namibia’s under-13 and under-17 tennis teams returned brimming with confidence from the Cossasa Ball Games, which were held in Botswana from 24-26 August.The teams won two gold and two bronze medals at the regional tournament.
Only three countries took part in the tennis category, with Botswana and Namibia fielding under-13 sides while Zimbabwe joined them in the U-17 tournament.
The tennis tournament was played in a round robin format where two players play singles only and the other two play doubles.
Lisa Yssel and Hendrina Apollus played singles for the girls’ U-13 while Tammy-Ann Lombardt and Elzé Stears teamed up for doubles.
Diken De-Jongh and Johannes Swartz were the boys’ U-13 singles players.
Due to not having a full team De-Jongh had to cross over and play doubles with the last remaining player on the team, Albertus Brinkmann.
Bronwyn Kavarure and Megan Lombardt represented Namibia in the girls’ U-17.
Lombardt then joined up with Tuna Nkandi to play in the doubles.
The boys’ U-17 singles players were Dantago Gawanab and Adriaan Bergh. Risto Shikongo and Tevin Tait teamed up to represent Namibia in the doubles.
The country with the most matches won would then be the overall winner of the competition (See Namibia’s results below)
According to the team’s coach, SP van Wyk, the players’ were quite disciplined.
“They carried themselves in a respectable manner on and off the court,” he said.
“The coaches only had to be strict on the issues of curfew and cellphone use but all players listened and followed the instructions they were given.”
As for future events, Van Wyk said it would be in everybody’s interest if the team selection is done well ahead of time.
“[This will] avoid sending weak or incomplete teams,” he said.
“As for a competition where you can send team managers and coaches, it would be more helpful to the coach to have a team manager. There are too many responsibilities for the coaches to handle alone.”
But the issues did not surpass the value gained from being part of the event, Van Wyk said.
“We thank Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) and the Namibia School Sport Union (NSSU) for the opportunity to mentor the future stars of Namibian tennis.
“We saw it as important to allow the players to travel to international tournaments and experience strong competition. It has allowed them to grow and to come back home with a common goal to improve their game.”
Results
U-13 boys: gold
U-13 girls: gold
U-17 boys: bronze
U-17 girls: bronze medal recipients
Teams
Girls Under-13: Tammy-Ann Lombardt, Lisa Yssel, Hendrina Apollus and Elze Stears
Boys U-13: Johannes Swartz, Diken De-Jongh and Albertus Brinkmann
Girls U-17: Megan Lombardt, Tuna Nkandi and Bronwyn Kavarure
Boys U-17: Dantago Gawanab, Risto Shikongo, Adriaan Bergh and Tevin Tait
Coaches/Team Managers: Melissa Khupe and SP Van Wyk
SPORT REPORTER