The six-member team made up of three boys and three girls, one each for the Under-14, 16 and 18 groups includes Philip de Bruyn, Matthew Rossouw, Trent Botha, Dzenga, Ilze Hatting and Madrie Le Roux from South Africa.
The players receive full sponsorship, including free racquets, tennis shoes, clothing and tennis bags for a year. The Nike team will tour Europe at the end of the year to participate in tournaments involving other Nike elite teams worldwide.
In a letter to Nicole, the sponsors’ South Africa representatives said Nicole has to continue working hard if she wishes to continue being a member of the Elite team next year.
“As an elite member, you will now also receive a variety of Nike clothing together with your Wilson equipment. We only offer this elite sponsor to Wilson players.
“Due to your hard work and dedication in ranking top of your group, this is a true honour. If you would like to remain in the Wilson Elite Group for 2012, you are required to continue working hard. This sponsorship expires on December 31,” the letter said.
Nicole, who is currently ranked as the number two on the Under 14 Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) rankings is fast fulfilling her father Regis Dzenga’s dream of making her a world-class player.
Many a sport fan will remember that in 2008 when Dzenga quit his job as Zimbabwe Football Association’s (Zifa) board member, it was stated that he was leaving the association to concentrate on coaching his then 10-year-old daughter in tennis.
“I am moving out of football and will now be focusing on training my daughter (Nicole) in tennis and assisting in the development of tennis.
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“Every institution has its principles and ways and I guess it was a question of different approaches and principles. I feel I need to move out of the game,” Dzenga declared that time.
His efforts seem to be bearing fruits as Nicole, who had to rely on her father’s resources all along, is getting some recognition.
She is a member of the Zimbabwe junior tennis team and represented Zimbabwe at the 2011 Africa Junior Tennis Championships held in Botswana early this year.
Nicole to represent Zim
Nicole Dzenga is set to represent Zimbabwe at the World Junior Tennis Finals qualifiers in Egypt together with Karen Machisa and Karen Muswere where they are battling out against players from Namibia, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and hosts Egypt.
In the boys’ section, Tadiwa Chinamo, Alywn Mushonga and Ngoni Chiwetete will battle it out with players from South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana and Egypt.
