Tennis squad flops in South Africa
Malawi junior tennis squad suffered a huge setback after failing to qualify for the Africa Junior Championship for the first time since 2009.
A 12 – member squad competing in Under-12, 14 and 16 divisions in boys’ and girls’ sections finished on fifth position out of nine countries.
The squad returned quietly on Tuesday having struggled at the CAT Southern Africa Junior tennis championship in Pretoria, South Africa.
Hosts South Africa emerged champions while Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Botswana also won several medals.
Lawn Tennis Association of Malawi (LTAM) technical director, Thompson Mtengula, confirmed Malawi’s downfall, but could not reveal factors that contributed to the failure to fail to reach the continental finals.
It is also the first time that Malawi junior tennis squad has failed to win a medal in the Southern Africa qualifiers.
“We are all at pains. Anyway, as a technical panel we are compiling our report and you can get it to the authorities by this weekend,” Mtengula said.
P l aye r of – the -moment Ramesh Banda was included in the squad comprising Austin Phiri, Golden Kamanga (boys), Atupere Kadanja, Diana Nyirenda (Under-12), Sekelani Makuluni, Mwayiwathu Kadammanja, Linda Msiska (Under-14), Dereck Gamula, Kelvin Kachepa, Zione Nkhoma and Gloria Christopher (Under-16) category.
Africa Junior Championship is used as a platform for youngsters to earn scholarships.
United States of America-based tennis gem, Chisomo Lumeta, announced his rise to stardom when he dominated the junior championship in 2009.
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