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<\/p>\nTHE Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) has selected a junior team to represent the country at the ITF\/CAT Southern African Junior Championships to be held in Gaborone, Botswana, from 8 to 13 January.<\/p>\n
The team will compete in the under-14 and under-16 boys and girls categories, facing top junior players from across southern Africa. The championships form part of the regional pathway to the African Junior Championships later this year.<\/p>\n
NTA junior tennis coordinator Jandre Bezuidenhout says the tournament is an important opportunity for young players to gain experience and ranking points at an international level.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a very good opportunity for our youngsters,\u201d Bezuidenhout says. \u201cWe are also preparing them for future bigger tournaments, including world junior events and long-term prospects such as the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bezuidenhout praises the support received from government bodies during the team\u2019s preparations, describing it as a positive step for grassroots tennis development.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank the Namibia Sports Commission and the sport ministry for their tremendous support during this short preparation period,\u201d he says. \u201cThey really put their money where their mouth is. A big thank you to Freddie Mwiya and his team, as well as director Jo-Ann Manuel and acting director Irvine Ndjavera.\u201d<\/p>\n
He adds that this year\u2019s squad includes a higher number of development players, showing progress at grassroots level.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is the first time we have so many development players in the team, which shows that coaches on the ground are doing their job with the right support,\u201d Bezuidenhout says. \u201cThere is still talent in the informal settlements, and we encourage the private sector to support tours like this so that tennis can grow in Namibia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sport commission chairperson Freddie Mwiya confirms the commission\u2019s full backing of the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very happy with the composition of team Namibia,\u201d Mwiya says. \u201cWe sanctioned the team and are in full support of them. Tennis is a tested federation, and we are confident this team will represent Namibia with pride.\u201d<\/p>\n
The coach of the under-16 girls team, Larushka Kruger, says the team is excited and motivated ahead of the tough competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a very strong tournament,\u201d Kruger says. \u201cWe are not expecting to win, but we want to put up a fight. We want to show that Namibian tennis is coming back and that we can compete.\u201d<\/p>\n
She adds that the players have trained together for several days and are technically ready for the challenge.<\/p>\n
The NTA is also bidding to host the African Junior Championships later this year, with the top teams from the Southern African Championships qualifying for the continental event.<\/p>\n
The Namibian teams selected for the championships are:<\/p>\n
Under-14 boys:<\/p>\n
Shafiishuna Shimali, Breyton Bezuidenhout, Pameni Paulus, coach Armore Theron<\/p>\n
Under-16 boys:<\/p>\n
Johan Theron, Jaden van der Westhuizen, Tadiwa Mombeyarara, coach Charlton Diergaardt<\/p>\n
Under-14 girls:<\/p>\n
Milan de Lange, Azalia Nauises, Albertina Johannes, coach Yenialem Minichel<\/p>\n
Under-16 girls:<\/p>\n
Natalia-Tia Ouses, Elrica Nakusera, Secilia Nghitewapo, coach Larushka Kruger<\/p>\n
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