Spotlight on talented youngsters at junior development tournament

Younsgters from clubs across the city took part in Mitchell's Plain Tennis Club’s inaugural sponsored junior development tournament, held at the courts on Silversand Avenue,  in Westridge, over the weekend. Tournament director Andrew Japhta said the event featured some of the best young talent drawn from tennis hubs across the Cape Flats, including Khayelitsha, Mitchell's Plain, Athlone, Bellville, Langa, Gugulethu, and Bishop Lavis.

Japhta, a long-serving club member and a strong advocate for junior development, said it’s important to create awareness in communities about the sport. 

“Tennis is often seen as an elite sport, especially by the less affluent who turn to more popular sporting codes and team sports like soccer, cricket, netball, and rugby,” he said when asked about promoting the sport earlier this year.

“It also does not help that tennis facilities in our townships and schools are nonexistent. Sporting authorities like DCAS and the City of Cape Town should develop programmes, appoint coaches, and build infrastructure to assist in the growth of tennis,” he said.

The most rewarding aspect of youth development is watching young players evolve from absolute beginners into skilled players, such as those who took to the court at the weekend, he said, quick to express his gratitude to  Aburaouf Bapoo, an Astron Energy retailer based in Beacon Valley, who sponsored to tournament.

He said the businessman’s son, Yusuf, 12, also plays on the junior circuit and took part in the weekend’s tournament, so it made sense for Bapoo to get involved with tennis in Mitchell’s Plain.

Meanwhile, Athlone Tennis Club's Alex Dublin won the under-18 section, beating Khayelitsha Tennis Club's Indiphile Dubase 6-3 and 6-0 in the final. Third place went to Sibusiso Dubase, who beat MPTC’s Mahdee Hendricks 9-4.

In other action, MPTC’s Zariya Joubert beat  Bishop Lavis’ Sergio Bruce 7-5 and 6-2 in the under-16 final.