Bezuidenhout calls for zeal at Botswana tourneys

Tennis
The ITF Botswana competitions are a stepping stone toward the Youth Games.
Mariud Ngula
  • 23 Hours Ago
Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) director and African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games tennis convener, Jandre Bezuidenhout, has urged the eight young talents selected to represent the country in the Youth Games to have the zeal to do better and win.

He made the remarks on Tuesday at the players’ final training session at Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW), before they departed for Botswana on Wednesday to participate in the two-week preparatory International Tennis Federation (ITF) competition in Gaborone.

The boys’ and girls’ teams will be accompanied in Botswana by former national tennis player and veteran coach Johan Theron. The boys’ team, captained by Ruben Yssel, consists of Johan Theron Jr., Lian Kuhn and Dante Marcus.

The girls’ team, captained by Joanivia Bezuidenhout, includes Leandre Louw. The other two players, Mari van Schalkwyk and Natalia #Ouses, are also part of the national team but were unable to travel due to school commitments.

The team went early to train for two days before the qualifiers on Saturday. Kuhn and Bezuidenhout are already in the main draw.

They will first participate in the J30 Gaborone Tennis Tournament from April 7 to 12, before competing in the J60 Gaborone Tennis Tournament from April 14 to 19.



‘Zeal will carry you’

Motivating the athletes, Bezuidenhout said that the more effort they put in, the more opportunities they will gain along the way.

“We have to prepare. I want to see zeal and heart, that's all I'm asking for. Don't limit yourself to the Region 5 Youth Games. Have a bigger vision.

“You've been here a couple of times, I've been here a couple of times, and I know you guys have put in the hard work. But now it's the zeal that will carry you,” he remarked.



'Remember David and Goliath'

He urged them to live by the values of honesty and integrity as the country’s ambassadors.

“You are carrying the nation. Do not worry about who is more equipped or who is more technically skilled. It's the basics, it’s those who have heart. Always remember the story of David and Goliath. The simple things that we take for granted may be what carry us through.”

The youngsters also received words of encouragement from Namibia Sport Commission’s (NSC) development officer, Erwin Handura, who addressed the athletes at the final training session.

Handura emphasised the importance of preparation and taking full advantage of the pre-competition phase.

“We’re happy that you’re going to compete. The Botswana competitions are an essential stepping stone in the journey toward the main competition,” he said.

- mariud@nsh.com.na