Junior Open thrills

The Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) Junior Open tennis tournament took place on 6 and 7 April.

The event attracted 45 players from around Namibia, aged from seven to 17 years. The round-robin format was designed to maximise the playing time for the competitors.

Every participant played at least four matches over the two days.

These were followed by the semi-finals and finals. The competition was for both singles and doubles, broken down into groups for boys and girls of under-8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18.

More than 160 matches were held at the Police Club and the National Tennis Centre (Central Tennis Club). The players were supported by a good crowd of parents and spectators. During the prize giving ceremony, the president of the NTA, Samson Kaulinge, thanked all players for participating and improving theirs tennis skills. Kaulinge also thanked the staff of the NTA for the excellent organisation and in particular the tournament match referee and NTA development coach, Wellington Sibanda, for the efficient running of the event. Certificates were given to the following players:



Singles

U-8 girls: Louise Louw winner and Linda Alemu (runner-up)

U-10 girls: Halyle Kidd (winner) and Karla Terblanche (runner-up)

U-10 boys: Liam Forster (winner) and Ruben Yssel (runner-up)

U-12 girls: Sytisha Goagoses (winner) and Odysia Karaeru (runner-up)

U-12 boys: Oliver Leicher (winner) and Rubben Nel (runner-up)

U-14 girls: Elze Stears (winner) and Raica Coelho (runner-up)

U-14 boys: Adam Diggle (winner) and Dian Calitz (runner-up)

U-16 girls: Lisa Yssel (winner) and Sute Tjombe (runner-up)

U-18 boys: Chando Hollinrake (winner) and Josh Barnard (runner-up)



Doubles

U-10 girls: Hayle Kidd and Karla Terblanche (winners) and Fransinah Uugwanga and Hiturepi (surname not supplied) (runners-up)

U-10 boys: Ruben Yssel and Abraham Alemu (winners) and Liam Forster and Nathan Chase (runners-up)

U-12 girls: Sytisha Goagoses and (other winner not supplied) and Vekama Oppermann and Odysia Karaeru (runners-up)

U-12 boys: Oliver Leicher and Ruben Nel (winners), Ruben Nel and Juan Kuhn (runners-up)

U-14 girls: Raica Coelho and Elze Stears (winners)

U-14 boys: Adam Diggle and Oliver Leicher (winners) and Sarel Janse van Rensburg and Dian Calitz (runners-up)

U-18 boys: Gerhard Barnard and Oliver Diggle (winners) and Chando Hollinrake and Joshua Barnard (runners-up)



Sport Reporter