100 Ready to Battle in the Mkono Open

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Fadhil Iddy

28 April 2011

Over 100 players from five regions have so far confirmed their participation in this year’s Mkono Open Junior U-18 tennis championship set for early June at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club.

Tanzania Lawn Tennis Association (TLTA) secretary general Inger Njau said yesterday that participating players would battle it out for top honours in the Under-8, 12, 15 and 18 categories.Njau named the regions expected to field players in the annual tournament as Arusha, Tanga, Morogoro, Kilimanjaro and hosts Dar es Salaam.

“The door is still open for the other youngsters wishing to compete in the tournament,” she said, adding that preparations for the tournament were on course. She said they have set aside handsome prizes for the winners with a view to making this year’s tournament more competitive and exciting. But she fell short of naming the awards.

“The players lined up for the championship are now busy, shaping up in their respective regions. The event will feature both boys and girls players,” she said.

The TLTA official said the tournament was part of their efforts to develop the sport from the grassroots and make the country one of the best tennis playing nations in Africa.She did not reveal the deadline for confirmation, but she urged those yet to register to do so before early June.

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