WINDHOEK – The 5TH NTA Junior Tennis tourney that took place in Windhoek last weekend brought together more than 50 junior players from Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Outjo, who competed in singles and doubles action for NTA ranking points in the various age groups from U-10 up to U-16 boys and girls and the U-18 girls group.
Organizer Clive Gawanab of the NTA Junior Tennis Committee managed to arrange all matches for the different age groups at the allocated courts in Academia, the Police Tennis Club, Eros Tennis Club, Windhoek High school and CTC.
In the U-10 boys category, Daniel van der Walt defeated Melusi Khupe 8:5 in the final with Jaco Bekker adrift in 3rd place, while Van der Walt and Peter Laubscher prevailed 8:6 over Albertos Brinkmann and Carlos Uriab in the boys doubles.
The U-10 girls competition was played in the round-robin format and saw Anne J. Steenkamp on top with Elze Stears and Hendriana Appolus earning the runner-up and third places respectively.
The U-12 boy’s competition proved an instant hit at the Academia sports field and saw Swakopmund U-12 winner Maans Steenkamp from Outjo claiming first place in the final against Unotiari Katunohange 6:2 and 6:2, leaving Deacon Dejon to pick up the pieces for 3rd place. Oliver Riethmueller won the back draw against Rahul Singh 8:3.
In the the U-12 boys doubles, the comination of Maans Steenkamp and Conrad Theron proved too strong for Dejon and Lorenzo Danster coming out tops in straight sets in the final. Yone Minders had the upper hand over Liza Yssel in the girls Under-12 category. Risto Shikongo of the FNB Junior Tennis Development Programme once again demonstrated that he is a junior player to watch. In a thrilling final against the older and much experienced Tevin Tait Shikongo took the first set 6:4, but finally had to concede defeat losing the 2nd and 3rd sets 3:6 and 0:6.
Oliver Diggle won 3rd place against the development programme’s player Giovanni. The U-14 boys doubles winners were Oliver Diggle and Oliver Hoffmann at the expense of Lian Minders and Gerhard Barnhard 6:4, 6:4. Taimi Nashiku competed one age group higher where she confronted Kiana Cormack in the final. Taimi won the tie 6:3 and 6:3 and teamed up with Yone Minders to claim honours in the U-14 girls competition against Kiana Cormack and Carien Van Royen.
In the U-16 boys group Ruvan van Staden beat Paul Schwieger 6:3 and 6:4. Dantago Gawanab finished 3rd, while Paul Schwieger and Elias Shikongo defeated Clemens Roeber and Dantago Gawanab in a highly entertaining doubles match 6:3 and 6:4, which earned both teams a lot of applause from the spectators.
The U-16 girls division was won by Jessica Riedel who beat Nina Becker before the two finalists teamed up to claim victory in the U-16 doubles competition, dispatching Nastasha Grant and Anika Hening.
In the U-18 girls group Melissa Khupe prevailed over Suzan Strauss 6:1 and 6:3.
By Staff Reporter