WINDHOEK – Youngsters playing tennis in Katutura? Yes, that’s the naked reality as more than 200 kids unpacked their racquets to showcase their ball skills during the FNB Tennis Development Tourney at the Youth Centre Complex, recently.
As a result of financial implications pertaining to transport – many sports crazy youngsters from the low-income areas in the northwestern townships are unable to participate actively in major sporting events.
Most of these events are organized in Olympia. “If you bring the sport to Katutura, you will get mass participation from many schools,” explained Kallie Heese, NTA development coordinator.
“We enjoy organizing these kind of events because it creates a perfect environment for competition and to unearth new raw talent. This is a perfect opportunity to engage teachers and create opportunities for the future,” Heese elaborated.
“The objective of the tourney is to introduce and give more exposure to children who want to participate and continue growing in tennis. It was further an introduction for them to understand the simple rules of the Play & Stay Tennis as well as having fun.
The initial challenge was to get all the children playing, and they all got the opportunity to compete. We want to thank all the teachers, parents and coaches who assisted during the tournament.”
The National FNB School League championships finals will be held in Windhoek on the 25th of next month where the best schools from all regions will battle it out in the u/10 and u/14 age groups.
Schools that are interested to enter the National School League for 2015 are requested to contact Kallie Heese, National Tennis Development Coordinator at 081 2868031 or kalietenis@gmail.com