Mzuzu-based players dominated Sparc Systems Lawn Tennis Junior Championship over the weekend at Country Club Limbe, scooping five of the six categories.
Ramesh Banda and Linda Msiska led the way for the Northern Region, triumphing in boys and girls under-16 sections, respectively, as Austin Phiri, Diana Nyirenda and Junior Mkandawire grabbed gold in under-14 boys, under-14 girls and under-12 boys categories in that order.
The girls’ under-12 category was the only accolade they failed to win as it went to Blantyre-based player Atupele Kadammanja.
At least 40 junior players from Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu took part in the two-day event.
Mzuzu coach Happy Shonga attributed the success of his charges in the competition to hard-work during their preparations bankrolled by Saved by the Ball (SBB).
“Prior to this event, all our players were involved in an intensive training and everyone put much effort to succeed. I am proud of my team and we will do anything possible to do well again in the next competition,” he said.
Sparc Systems Limited managing director Wisely Phiri said the information technology systems firm was impressed with the organisation of the event and the conduct of the players. In this regard, he promised continued support.
“Both the Lawn Tennis Association of Malawi [LTAM] officials and the junior players did more than we expected from them. This is why instead of injecting the agreed K1.5million sponsorship into the contest, we pumped in over K2 million. We are impressed and we do not see why we should stop,” he said.
While thanking the company for the support, LTAM president Wilson Kyumba said they would take advantage of the event to build a strong team for 2019 international competitions. n
