NTA under-14 tournament well contested

Tennis
Michaiyla Hansen
  • 4 Months Ago 04 March 2024
In a spectacular display of talent and determination, the under-14 tournament hosted by the Namibian Tennis Association (NTA) and Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) at the Central Tennis Club showcased the brightest upcoming stars in the country.

The competition was intimate, but had standout performances that left an atmosphere of excitement for next week’s bigger NTA junior tournament which will take place Friday and Saturday.

The boys’ singles category witnessed the emergence of Johan Theron who won 6-2, 6-4, beating Luan Brand as he not only made it to the final, but took the top spot.

Brand said: “I won my play-off match against Tadiwa Mombeyrara (6-0, 6-0) and I feel good about my performance,” after he placed second overall.

Hot on Brand’s heels was De Witt Bergh, showcasing impressive skills to secure the third position by winning the bronze final against De Witt Bergh (6-3, 6-4).

On the girls’ side, Natalia Ouses dominated the singles category, claiming the first-place position with 6-3, 6-3 beating Secilia Nghitewapo, while Elrica Nakusera’s performance earned her third place.

The tournament’s thrilling matches were marked by powerful serves, strategic volleys, and unwavering focus from the rising stars. Theron’s journey to the top showed the promise of fiuture excellence, while Ouses demonstrated prowess in the girls’ category.

The Central Tennis Club echoed with applause not just for the winners, but for every player who displayed resilience and sportsmanship.

Beyond the competition, the tournament highlighted the importance of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Spirited rallies were met with mutual respect, fostering a positive atmosphere among the young athletes.

The tournament closed on the NTAs under-14 tournament. The Central Tennis Club will also serve as the stage for this weekend’s NTA/CAT all-ages tournament.

Larushka Kruger said:” This tournament was extremely important for our U14s in order to receive a proper CAT ranking this early in the year. It was great to see our committed players showing up. We had a successful tournament and our players showcased some great tennis and sportsmanship.”