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LEADING BY EXAMPLE . . . Zimbabwean women’s tennis great Cara Black (left) addresses the media during yesterday’s Davis Cup launch at Harare Sports Club while the Zimbabwe Davis Cup team’s playing captain Martin Dzuwa (centre) and Tennis Zimbabwe president Regis Bhunu listen attentively

Caroline Magenga Sports Reporter
TENNIS Zimbabwe president Regis Mabhunu says over US$100 000 is needed to successfully host the Davis Cup Euro/Africa Zone II match against Bosnia and Herzegovina slated for March next year. Zimbabwe earned promotion into the Zone II two months ago after dismissing Namibia in the promotional play-offs in Egypt and will next year date Bosnia and Herzegovina from March 6 to 8 in Harare.

In Egypt, the country was represented by Tinotenda Chanakira, Benjamin Lock, Takanyi Garanganga and Mark Fynn while Martin Dzuwa was the playing captain.
Speaking at the launch of the Davis Cup sponsorship campaign at Harare Sports Club yesterday, Mabhunu said they were thrilled to be back in the Euro/Africa Zone II.
He urged interested parties to come on board to help the association shoulder the financial burden for the event to be a success.

“This (the qualification for Euro/Africa Zone II) has come up because our boys went to Egypt and did very well under the captaincy of Martin Dzuwa and under the sponsorship of Old Mutual and we want to congratulate them and say we are very excited about this.

“We’ve been fighting since 2007 and trying to get back into Group II and the past three years have seen us losing in the finals but now that dream is finally a reality.
“The highest achievement done by Zimbabwe, of this nature, was back in 1998 when the legendary Black brothers played in the World Group qualifiers and we believe this stage can be reached again with a lot of hard work.

“We are, however, looking at a huge amount of money and a lot of financial muscle is needed in order for us to successfully host this event.
“We need an amount above US$100 000 to cater for the renovation of the playing facilities so that they are responsive to the ITF requirements as well as food, accommodation, transport, officials and medics. “It’s a costly venture and that is why we are appealing to our sponsors and any interested parties to come on board and make this national event a success,” said Mabhunu. The Tennis Zimbabwe president said they had not forgotten the girl child and how she can be incorporated in more competitive levels.

“There are a lot of girls coming up and playing very well and we hope that with a lot of hard work they will also be able to reach a higher level of competition.
“In line with that, it is our intention to register for the women’s Fed Cup for 2016, which is the equivalent of the Davis Cup, to promote girl child participation,” Mabhunu said.
Speaking at the same function guest of honour, Zimbabwe tennis legend Cara Black, who spent last weekend coaching kids at Harare Sports Club, said the country had raw talent.

“It’s been very exciting and encouraging to see how enthusiastic they are about the sport and I was just here to give them a few tips, encouragement and to be an inspiration but Zimbabwe has unlimited potential.

“The Davis Cup is massive and we had been stuck for so long in the Group III. I think (our qualification for Zone II) is also a big boost for the sport and a lot of credit has to go to the team who worked so hard and I think great things are going to come,” Black said.

Meanwhile, Dzuwa said their preparations were already underway and progressing well.
“I want to start by thanking Cara (Black), she was here over the weekend with the kids and I am sure she saw for herself that there’s a lot of talent and passion in them.
“It’s good that the team did very well in Egypt and we did qualify for the Euro/Africa Zone II and now we are going to have this tie here against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“I want to assure you that the boys have already started their preparations and there is progress so we look forward to seeing a large turn out of tennis fans in March next year,” Dzuwa said.