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Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]

HARARE and Bulawayo Province tennis players dominated the annual Tarryn-Leigh De Souza Memorial tournament, which closed on Sunday.

The tournament was played at the Bulawayo Athletic Club and Girls College courts.

The Bulawayo Metropolitan Tennis Board (BMTB) was impressed with the competition, saying it was well represented and was much better than previous editions.

In the Under-18 boys’ singles contest, Theophelus Msokeri was the winner after he beat Mufudzi Mazorodze of the Midlands 6-1, 7-5 scoreline.

Kupakwashe Kanyore of Midlands emerged the winner in the girls’ category, getting the better of Pamela Moyo of Bulawayo 7-6, 6-1.

Harare showed how good they were with the racquet in the boys’ Under-16 category, when two of their players, Noah Samushonga and Kudiwanashe Matambo met in the final.

Samushonga was to win the duel 6-1, 6-4.

Bulawayo girls, Minenhle Moyo and Regina Zibowa were the toast of the Under-16 division, with Moyo winning the encounter 6-0, 6-0.

Another Harare boy, Muchengeti Manzungu, who has been making waves in the local and regional Under-14 circuit won gold as he beat Masvingo’s Kevin Saravoye 6-4, 6-4.

Africa Junior Tennis Championship player Rutendo Tom of Kadoma took first position after edging Kyla Ruwanza of Harare 6-2, 6-1 in the girls’ Under-14.

Simbarashe Donda (Harare) won against Bulawayo’s Sibusiso Sibanda on a 6-4, 6-2 scoreline in the boys’ Under-12 category.

It was gold for Harare again as Ruvarashe Makunike won two sets in the final, beating teammate Mia Kaliofasi 6-0, 6-2.

Players from Bulawayo were to take the crown in the Under-10 age groups. In the red ball matches, it was a Bulawayo affair, Roland Khanye winning 8-3, 6-5 over Marvel Sitemere.

In the girls’ competition, Bulawayo players Avril Maunganidze and Tieghan Nyathi squared off in the final.

Maunganidze won 7-4, 6-5.

The orange ball boys’ matches finals also had players from Bulawayo Province. Brendan Gonga beat Sabelo Moyo 8-6, 7-5, 11-9. 

In the girls’ final Tesia Sithole beat Allegra Padingani 7-6, 3-6 10-5. 

Both are also from Bulawayo. 

Harare’s Anopaishe Danda humbled Bulawayo’s Raphael Zambura by 6-2, 6-4 in the boys’ green ball.

Commenting on the tournament, BMTB member Thelsy Mufunda said it was essential that players get more time on the court.

“We are impressed at how young players are interested in the game. It was one of our biggest tournaments and we hope it will continue to be one of the biggest talent identification platforms for local tennis. From here, more tournaments will be held, as we seek to give our junior players more competition.

Alison de Souza whose daughter Tarryn-Leigh was a champion in Zimbabwe and her US college said they are happy to remember their daughter through a sport she loved.

It was the 15th hosting of the event.

“We continue to remember her through what she loved. We will continue to support local tennis in her memory,” said Alison.—@NkosieLegend.