Tennis to uplift the youth
The Soshanguve tennis academy, founded earlier this year, is uplifting the youth in this area.
Amukelani Prince Mabasa
The Soshanguve tennis academy, based at the Block K sports complex, is uplifting the youth in the area through sports. Owned by Godfrey Mvalo, Mpho Kupa and Nelson Ntsoane, all experienced tennis players, the academy was founded earlier this year when they saw a need in community.
Academy coach Ntsoane said: “I started training the children this year in February, and they are doing well. My motivation for training these young people is to keep them off the streets and make a change – tennis is a white-dominated sport in our country.”
Ntsoane added that his trainees’ parents were supportive and showed appreciation for what he was doing. “I am a tennis player and I was trained by somebody too. I saw a need to pass on my skills to others, especially young people, so that they can have a study break and release their stress through tennis,” said Ntsoane.
An aspiring tennis player at the academy, Nthabeleng Molokomme (17), said she liked tennis because it is an exciting, energetic and fun sport. “I started playing tennis at the age of nine. I encourage other people to try the sport out and become fit.”
Walter Nyandeni, parent of Lesego Nyandeni (14), a student at the academy, said: “It is a good thing for children to be engaged in any sport. I saw an interest in tennis from my daughter, so I decided to bring her here. I advise parents to engage their children in tennis or any other sport to save them from drug and alcohol abuse.”
Ntsoane said the players were tournament-ready, and planned to take part in the Gauteng tournament.
The academy trains from 15:30 to 17:30, Monday to Saturday. Ntsoane said they were trying hard to keep the lessons and use of equipment free, however, they were in need of sponsorships and donations, such as tennis balls and old rackets.
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