DGC chairman, Ali Mufuruki

Dar es salaam Gymkhana Club chairman Ali Mufuruki rose from obscurity to urge a comprehensive teen tennis promotion in the country.

Mufuruki, a guest of honour during the presentation ceremony to award Tango tennis winners at the club over the weekend, said parents have a huge role to play in the game’s promotion.

He said parents should take bold steps to release, encourage and support their children to play tennis game which is likely to pay off in the future.

Mufuruki said tennis has improved lives of many people in the world and there is an urgent need for parents to let their children play the game.

The fifth edition of the Tango Open tournament attracted more than 60 children from Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Coast regions.

“Young people must work extra hard, the game of tennis has a lot of opportunities, including scholarships and employment. I advise parents to support you in playing tennis and also buy playing equipment,” he said.

He also thanked sponsor of the event, Joseph Tango, for his effort to improve the game from grassroots.

Mufuruki said for the past five years Tango has been sponsoring the tournament as tennis awareness has reached to many young people with remarkable improvement.

On his remarks, Tango, who happens to be the club’s golf captain with deep rooted obsession to tennis, said he believes that any game can improve if more emphasis is given to teenagers.

He pledged his continued sponsorship of the tournament as he looks ahead to back the sixth edition next year.

During the tournament, Warda Abdullah finished runners-up while Nairuk Solom triumphed in the eight and under age category for girls.

John Julius was the winner for the under 18 age category while Akili William finished runner-up.

In boys under 10 category, Tegegne Mafuruki was the winner while Shamaene Amani was the runner up. In girls under 12 category, Jacqueline Kayunge was the winner to beat Asia Morris to the second spot as Mutale Amani beat Mazira Joshua in the boys category of the same age.

Girls under 14 category saw Rahabu Shabani condemning Grace Pancras to runners-up, as Erick Sebastian failed to beat Martina John, the winner for boys.

The Tanzania Tennis Association (TTA) secretary general, Inger Njau, who also dons as the DGC tennis section captain, thanked Tango for sponsoring the tournament.

She said Tango’s personal initiatives boosted the increase of tennis players in the country.

Njau disclosed that the club facilities will not be available to non-members of the club with effect from Saturday. She said this has been a directive of the club management as non-members should part with 10,000/ for each of their training session at the club.

However, she said the Kijitonyama tennis courts wile be available for the public use.

The Kijitonyama centre has four courts.