Tennis is back

THE first competitive sporting event in Namibia since the start of the lockdown gets underway this weekend when the Namibia Tennis Association will host a junior tournament at various venues in Windhoek.

With the country still in Stage 3 of the lockdown, stringent measures will, however, be applied to ensure that all players, officials and spectators adhere to the rules.

According to a press release issued by the Namibia Tennis Association (NTA), the tournament will cater for children from u10 up to u18 level and will take place at the Central Tennis Courts (CTC), SKW, Nampol and DTS courts.

All four venues will have a table at the entrance manned with one or two volunteers, and a book to record the date, time, and cellphone number of all people entering the premises. Everyone’s temperature will be scanned, and their hands sanitised, as well as the pen after each use.

Everyone needs to adhere to the two metre distancing between people, while parents, officials and spectators have to wear masks at all times. Players can play without masks, but have to put them on again after completion of a match.

Players must change sides on different sides of the net, they are not allowed to shake hands, and they have to refrain from touching public surfaces.

No parents or spectators are allowed at CTC, only coaches, officials and organisers. Spectators and parents are, however, welcome at Nampol, SKW and DTS, subject to social distancing protocols.

According to the president of the NTA, Sam Kaulinge, this is because more matches will take place at CTC and they need to stay within the limit of 50 people per venue.

Players should arrive at their venues near their allocated time of play and must preferably leave the premises on completion of their matches.

All players must go to their venues and report to an official on duty at 13h30 today, while the matches will start at 14h00. All cash payments must be done from 13h00 on Friday at the Central Tennis Courts.

Players must bring their own towels, water bottles and snacks, while tennis-branded masks on order will be available from 14h00 on Friday.

The various age groups will compete at the following venues:

U10 boys and girls – Nampol, u12 boys – SKW, u12 girls – DTS, u14 boys – CTC, u14 girls – CTC, u16 boys – CTC, u16 girls – Nampol, and u18 boys and girls – SKW.

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