THE national wheelchair tennis team arrived in South Africa yesterday for the Johan Cruyff Junior Camp and Tournament, the team’s delegation leader has confirmed.

Head coach and leader of the delegation, Riziki Salum, said the team arrived safely and is fully prepared for the two assignments - the training camp and the tournament.

“We arrived in South Africa safely and the players are in high spirits. They are ready for both the camp and the tournament, which will allow them to put into practice what they learn during training,” said Salum.

The junior wheelchair tennis players representing Tanzania at the events are Aidan Edger, Monica Boniface, Omari Tumbo, and Tamera Festo, under the guidance of coach Suleiman.

The coach emphasized that the tournament is vital, as it will give players a chance to apply their skills and earn International Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings.

The camp and tournament have drawn participants from Ghana, Tanzania, Lesotho, Eswatini, and hosts South Africa. 

According to Salum, the event is part of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) wheelchair tennis pathway, which recruits children aged 10–18 with physical disabilities to develop their skills and support their progress toward professional levels in the sport.

Wheelchair Tennis Tanzania chairperson, Engineer Professor John Bura, said the initial plan was to send five players to South Africa, but due to financial constraints, only four players and one coach made the trip.

In an earlier interview, Bura noted that the players were ready for the challenge and expressed gratitude to BQ Contractors Limited and Matthew Mclvena for supporting wheelchair tennis development in the country.

He added that international tournaments are crucial for motivating players, securing international recognition, and earning ITF rankings. He further pledged to strengthen the association’s youth development programs to broaden the pool of international-level athletes.

Wheelchair Tennis Tanzania operates under the umbrella of disability sports associations formed following recommendations by the African Union Sports Council (AUSC). 

The AUSC urged member states to establish umbrella bodies to coordinate disability sports activities.

According to the council, such structures are a significant milestone in promoting inclusive sports development in Africa, enhancing coordination, increasing visibility, and ensuring that athletes with disabilities enjoy equal opportunities to succeed nationally and internationally.