Strydom’s pro career boosted

NAMIBIA’S top tennis player Jurgens Strydom’s career as a professional has been boosted by Mobile Telecommunications (MTC) with a massive sponsorship of N$200 000.

Strydom, Namibia’s 2005 junior sportsman of the year, is expected to further his professional career at a world-renowned tennis school in Barcelona, Spain. Yesterday, he received the cheque from MTC corporate services manager Albertus Aochamub at the National Tennis Courts.Speaking at the event, Aochamub said MTC decided to renew its contract with Strydom in recognition of what he achieved in 2005.The new sponsorship deal was doubled and now stands at N$200 000, which includes N$16 000 towards living expenses while studying in Spain.The contract also includes a state-of-the-art cell phone and N$2 000 airtime per month.On top of that, Strydom could also get bonuses of N$5 000 if he reaches the semi-finals of any tournament and N$10 000 if he wins.Aochumeb said he hopes the sponsorship would steer Strydom to improve his game and ability to represent Namibia on international level.”I believe the best is still to come, I wish you well and I trust with the support you can move mountains,” said Aochamub.Also speaking at the event, Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) president Bob Mould reminded Strydom that he has nothing to lose, because he would not under as much pressure as last year, when he played as an amateur.Strydom thanked MTC for giving him the opportunity to play all over the world in different tournaments.”I have learned a lot from the best players and coaches, who can help me take it to the next level,” Strydom said.As a professional, he now has to start from scratch and he anticipates “pressure and stress”, he said.However, it was his dream to make it big and he thanked MTC for making his dream a reality.He told Nampa afterwards that he was thrilled to be named Junior Sportsman of the Year in the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Awards.”After all the hard work, the recognition makes it very special,” he added.For now Strydom will concentrate on feature events in building up his ranking as a professional.Before he joined the paid ranks, Strydom’s highest junior amateur ranking in the world was 60th and first in Africa.He chose the tennis school in Spain because it is one of the best in the world and is used by the International Tennis Federation for its development programmes.Strydom will be coached by the father of a former French Open star, Sergi Bruguera.Strydom departs for Spain today.-NampaYesterday, he received the cheque from MTC corporate services manager Albertus Aochamub at the National Tennis Courts.Speaking at the event, Aochamub said MTC decided to renew its contract with Strydom in recognition of what he achieved in 2005.The new sponsorship deal was doubled and now stands at N$200 000, which includes N$16 000 towards living expenses while studying in Spain.The contract also includes a state-of-the-art cell phone and N$2 000 airtime per month.On top of that, Strydom could also get bonuses of N$5 000 if he reaches the semi-finals of any tournament and N$10 000 if he wins.Aochumeb said he hopes the sponsorship would steer Strydom to improve his game and ability to represent Namibia on international level.”I believe the best is still to come, I wish you well and I trust with the support you can move mountains,” said Aochamub.Also speaking at the event, Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) president Bob Mould reminded Strydom that he has nothing to lose, because he would not under as much pressure as last year, when he played as an amateur.Strydom thanked MTC for giving him the opportunity to play all over the world in different tournaments.”I have learned a lot from the best players and coaches, who can help me take it to the next level,” Strydom said.As a professional, he now has to start from scratch and he anticipates “pressure and stress”, he said.However, it was his dream to make it big and he thanked MTC for making his dream a reality.He told Nampa afterwards that he was thrilled to be named Junior Sportsman of the Year in the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Awards.”After all the hard work, the recognition makes it very special,” he added.For now Strydom will concentrate on feature events in building up his ranking as a professional.Before he joined the paid ranks, Strydom’s highest junior amateur ranking in the world was 60th and first in Africa.He chose the tennis school in Spain because it is one of the best in the world and is used by the International Tennis Federation for its development programmes.Strydom will be coached by the father of a former French Open star, Sergi Bruguera.Strydom departs for Spain today.-Nampa