Junior tennis starts on a high

PRO Tennis academy started their 2009 tennis calendar last weekend with a tournament sponsored by Video Corner.

The tournament had 45 entries divided in three categories -beginners, intermediate and advanced.The tournament attracted some of the top junior players in the country.’This kind of Pro Tennis Academy tournament are meant to give junior players the opportunity to play more matches, other than the national tournaments alone,’ said the head coach and director of Pro Tennis Academy, Elizma Nortjé.In an interview at the tournament, Nortjé said it was the helping hand extended to PTA by Video Corner in sponsoring such events that helps develop these up-and-coming youngsters. The level of tennis displayed in all three categories was commendable, especially the beginners who had tight matches for the semi-finals and finals.Kudzai Toto, Nicolay Palmhert, Nguvi Hinda and Dantago Gawanab displayed excellent tennis for beginner level.In the advanced group Michal Muller lost to Jonathan Edmunds in a tightly contested match.The girls who took part did not disappoint either and showed a great amount of talent in a round robin draw.Video Corner will also sponsor the next tournament on February 14, which they said will be bigger and better.’The sponsors’ love of tennis made them commit in sponsoring these tournaments. We look forward to the next tournament on February 14 and we appreciate the parental support given to our players and to Pro Tennis Academy,’ said Nortje.Pro Tennis Academy is also hosting a ‘crème de la crème’ gala and auction evening on February 20 where people have the opportunity to meet and mingle with celebrities. In order to raise funds, create opportunities and a better future for Namibia’s talented tennis players and for tennis in Namibia, two Olympic gold medallists will share their experiences of determination, discipline and devotion – Ryk Neethling and Lyndon Ferns.Also present will be Brian Capper, who will exhibit a high-impact display of expert motorcycle handling.Articles donated by the Olympic champions will be auctioned off during the evening, including Wimbledon tickets.For more information about this gala event or the tournament on February 14, contact Elizma at 081 240 0560 or (061) 22 2712.Full ResultsBeginners: Winner: Nguvi Hinda – St Paul’s1st Runner-up: Dantago Gawanab – Convent2nd Runner-up: Kudzai Toto – ConventIntermediate Girls: Winner: Melisa Khupe – Convent1st Runner-up: Ndapewa Mukumba2nd Runner-up: Zita Muller – Windhoek GymnasiumIntermediate Boys: Winner: Christof Knoetze – Windhoek GymnasiumRunner-up: David Edmunds – St Paul’sAdvanced: Winner: Jonathan Edmunds – St Paul’sRunner-up: Michal Muller – HTS