Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) Sports Complex Tennis Academy will host a Zambian team on February 24 and 25 at Country Club Limbe in an international friendly tournament.
The institution has organised the tournament to give exposure to its players ahead of major events.
Kuhes Sports Complex administrator Geoffrey Biya said youngsters would compete in under-12, 14, 16 and 18 categories
“We decided to arrange this tournament as our players seldom play international games. We feel the tournament will give us a chance to gauge the strength of our players. Therefore, the tournament will help us know which areas we have improved or need to work on.
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“The players will compete in various age groups from under 12 to 18. They will battle in singles, doubles and mixed doubles,” Biya said.
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The hosts will pump in K4 million to successfully host the event.
Biya said the money will cater for logistics including travel and accommodation for both hosts and visitors.
He also cleared that they have settled for Country Club Limbe to host the tournament due to its surface as opposed to the cemented court at Kuhes Sports Complex.
“The tournament is in line with international rules. As such we will use clay courts at Country Club Limbe to give players the real test. Youngsters need to use the standard clay courts to get used to it. If we were unconcerned we would have used our courts,” Biya said.
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Biya also said players within the right age bracket from other teams would be allowed to participate.
“Much as we want to give our players international exposure we will also accommodate youngsters from other clubs. This is an international tournament and players must not be left out,” he said.
Kuhes Sports Complex Tennis Academy Coach Barnet Nanthabwe is optimistic that his charges would perform well.
“The essence of the tournament is not the result but to check how the players are performing. In this case, we want to assess if the players are ready for international tournaments,” Nanthabwe said.
