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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Southern African Zonal Tennis Championships-bound Zimbabwe junior team goes into camp in Harare today, with national team coach Thesly Mufunda saying their focus is on building players’ confidence ahead of departure.

The Southern African Zonal Tennis Championships will be held in Windhoek, Namibia, from January 8-19. Mufunda said the team will leave for Namibia on January 7.

Twelve aspiring tennis aces will represent Zimbabwe in the boys’ and girls’ Under-14 and Under-16 categories at the event.

“The purpose of the camp is to get the team to gel and work on tactics. The players have been working with their respective coaches throughout the holidays, so besides gelling, we want to build on their psychological aspect of the game.

“There is need to motivate these youngsters and make them believe they have all the technical tools to dismantle any opposition. Mental strength, fitness and endurance will be key since matches in Namibia will be played on a back-to-back format,” said Mufunda.

The Bulawayo-based coach, who recently graduated with a BSc Honours degree in Sports Science and Coaching at Nust, is hoping to encompass the scientific methods of the game in a bid to have an edge over opponents.

“We’re also focusing on nutrition as well to fuel our players so that they can sustain pressure. I also intend to use sports science principles to improve our performance, which I feel is the difference between us and world class athletes,” Mufunda said.

Team Zimbabwe

Under-14

Boys: Ethan Sibanda, Taona Muhwandagara, Lyle Zaloumis
Girls: Rufaro Magarira, Clare Machisa, Tsitsi Mahere

Under-16

Boys: Tinashe Taruberekera, Thabo Ncube, Anesu Kwirirai
Girls: Nandi Munyulwa, Vimbai Moyo, Takudzwa Mawisire.

@ZililoR