MEMORABLE YEAR FOR ESWATINI TENNIS

MBABANE – The SBS Tennis Club Championships held a fortnight ago marked the end of Eswatini Tennis Association (ETA) 2022 calendar of activities.

ETA President Derrick Jele, speaking during the club championships semi-finals played at Kwaluseni, concluded that 2022 had been a successful year for the association and thanked the teams for their contribution to the development of the sport across all four regions for the country. The most exciting news was that as of next year, local tennis players would be able to compete in International Tennis Federation (ITF)-organised competitions, giving local players international exposure and be ranked against the world’s cream of the crop players. Their biggest goal is to compete in the World Cup of tennis, the Davis Cup in the year 2025. Here are some of the highlights on the ETA’s achievements.

3 sponsors scouted
The Eswatini Tennis Association (ETA) started the year with a change in leadership which saw the return of former President Derrick Jele. He won the elections held in January to succeed his younger brother Maxwell Jele. Derrick hit the ground running and his expertise in marketing attracted three sponsors who funded the development of tennis through hosting junior and senior tournaments. These included Stuck Motors, Fuchs’, Kwakitsi Foundation  and the renewal of a long existing partnership between ETA and Swaziland Building Society, who injected E150 000.

28 coaches graduate
A total of 28 tennis coaches and aspiring coaches were privileged to be empowered by Kenyan tennis expert coach George Oyo, who conducted a two-week basic tennis training course at the Swaziland Building Society (SBS) Tennis Centre in Lobamba in October. Upon completing the two-week Play and Stay coaching course, the 28 coaches were awarded certificates of excellence in an event held at the Malkerns Sports and Country Club. Going forward, the coaches are expected to progress to Level One Coaching Course in February next year.

Siteki Tennis Club blossoms
Launched in 2021 by former President Maxwell Jele, Siteki Tennis Club has been the most vibrant and most achieving club in junior tournaments. Credit goes to coach Njabulo Mbhamali who dedicates his time into grooming and nurturing about 200 pupils on a weekly basis. In-house ad interclub competitions have produced highly-competitive players who continue to excel locally and in competitions they joined in Mozambique and South Africa.

Imbuyiselo awards bursary to Joshua
This is one of the association’s major impacts of the year. Seven-year-old Joshua Eziegbo from Siteki Tennis Club received a primary school bursary from Imbuyiselo Academy and the financial support to secure the young tennis player’s education was motivated by his excellence in local and cross border competitions. This is also an inspiration for other tennis players to strive for excellence and stand a chance to lay their hands on the ample opportunities out there.

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