HARARE - Zimbabwe's junior tennis team is geared up for the International Tennis Federation Southern African Junior championships to be held in Namibia this week.

The championships are set to run between January 6 to 12 with participants taking part in the Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 categories.

“We have a good chance because our players have always done well in all age groups. Our team has more experience and we expect them to do better,” TZ administrator Clif Nokwara told the Daily News yesterday.

“The tournament will help create mutual understanding between participating countries and it will be a good platform to share ideas for the benefit of participants and players.

“We send youngsters to these championships year-in-year-out and we have reaped huge benefits as the kids get international exposure.”

In the Under-16 boys category, Zimbabwe will be represented by Alwyn Mushonga and Julius Mtetwa. Nicole Dzenga and Keren Muswere will fly the country’s flag in the Under-16 girls section while Karen Machisa and Kimberly Bhunu will battle it out in the Under 14 girls category.

Mehluli Sibanda and Batsirai Saurombe will compete in the Under-14 boys and girls events respectively.

Tinashe Hwata and Valentine Munyawiri are lined up in the boys Under-12 section while Annett Matumba is the only representative in the girls category.

The top seven players in each age group will progress to the African Junior Championships finals scheduled for April in Kenya. - Blessings Mashaya