Record crowd at Trustco junior event The Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) conducted a junior tennis tournament last weekend at different venues in Olympia. The tournament, which was sponsored by Trustco, attracted an annual record number of more than 70 junior players in the age groups under-8 to under-18.
The highlight of the tournament was the hotly contested finals between U-18 Namibia number one seed Dantago Gawanab and FNB development player Risto Shikongo.
Shikongo took the first set 6-2 but Gawanab turned the match around by winning the second set 6-1.
The final set was tightly contested as Shikongo put up a brave fight with the set decided by a tie break.
Gawanab won the tie break 9-7.
Shikongo later had comfort as he teamed up Tevin Tait to win the U-18 doubles event after the pair beat Marsen von Lieres and Gawanab 6-2, 7-5.
The U-18 girls’ competition was won by Jessica Riedel, who finished ahead of Lisa Yssel in the round robin competition.
Another competition highlight saw Carlos Uirab of the FNB Development programme outclassing Jaco Bekker in the U-12 finals 6-1, 6-2.
The largest number of tournament participants came from the U-8 group, who competed on half courts and with softer and slower balls.
They also had two different player level categories.
In the beginners’ ‘red ball’ group boys and girls use red balls which have a lower bounce and a lower velocity.
Roelou Louw took first place while Tinashe Musavengana came second in the boys’ category.
Mienke Stals was the winner in the girls’ U-8 ‘red ball’ competition with Vekaama Opperman winning the silver medal.
In the U-8 advanced players’ ‘orange ball’ category Abraham Alemu had the upper hand against Nathan Chase.
The girls’ U-8 contest was won by Maja Brinkmann while Anne Stals came second.
During the prize-giving, NTA president Samson Kaulinge thanked the parents who had turned out to support their children.
He specifically noted the support of Trustco in making this tournament a success.
Trustco spokesman Neville Basson handed over medals and prizes to all winners.
“We at Trustco are proud to be associated with developing sports events like this in the country,” he said.
ROBERT RIETHMUELLER