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Caroline Magenga Sports Reporter
HEXAGON sports managing director Charles Chirapura has called for a community approach for the successful hosting of the Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone II tie between Zimbabwe and Bosnia and Herzegovina early next year. Hexagon recently partnered with Tennis Zimbabwe to the encounter on the weekend of March 6-8.

According to Tennis Zimbabwe president Regis Bhunu, the match will need over US$100 000 for renovations of the tennis court, food and accommodation.

“Our intention is that everything from renovations should to adhere to the ITF standards and from our calculations we need to raise over US$100 000 to be able to successfully host the event.

“The money will go into renovations, accommodation, food, officials, medical personnel and so forth and it’s a huge challenge considering that we are left with only four months until March and that’s why we decided to engage them (Hexagon) because they are the experts on sourcing funds and event planning.

Chirapura said as part of their strategy, they will be setting up miniature courts around suburbs to get the community involved and “raved up for the Davis Cup.

“Coming into this partnership, our role is to bridge the gap between the sports association and the sponsors, to add value to both parties through restructuring the sport for the tennis association so that it adopts a more community sensitive approach and to the sponsors, packaging the event so that they also get value for their money so that it’s a win-win situation for all parties involved.

“Our plan is to restructure the game of tennis not just for the association or the corporate world alone but for the ordinary Zimbabwean and the kids because really that’s the way to go if our sports sector is to develop. Tennis needs to be something a child in Epworth can understand and appreciate.

“Among the strategies we have in the pipeline, we will be setting up miniature courts in local suburbs, be it low density or high density so that we get the whole community involved.

“We need the hype to start from community level so that people from all walks of life can understand and appreciate the sport as something anyone can participate in and enjoy.

Chirapura also added that they are going to rope in female tennis legend Cara Black and her brother Byron so that they assist with coaching and spreading the sport to various communities.

“We are also going to rope in Cara and Byron Black so that they help out with coaching, tips and just spreading the sport locally to rave up the country for the Davis Cup because these are personalities a lot of people can relate to,” said Chirapura.

Zimbabwe qualified for the Zone II level two months ago after they beat Namibia in promotional play-offs that were held in Egypt.