TENNIS: Arusha prodigy eyes Tunis meet
What you need to know:
- Mallya, who hails from Arusha, targets to leave an indelible mark at the Under-16 African Championship planned for Tunisia from March 9 to 22
Dar es Salaam. Emanuel Mallya, a Tanzanian tennis sensation, proved his class at the recently ended ITF/CAT East and Central African Junior Championships here, but he is still hungry for more titles.
This time around, the Arusha Gymkhana Club product is targeting to leave an indelible mark at the Under-16 African Championship planned for Tunisia from March 9 to 22.
Mallya, who won several titles at the Dar es Salaam tournament, is one of the four Tanzanian teens who train at the ITF High Performance Training Centre in Bujumbura.
Speaking with The Citizen yesterday, Mallya said: “I have started the year on a high note and I would like to cap it in the same way.
“Winning titles at the just concluded event has motivated me to aspire clinching coveted titles on the continent.
He added: “I believe I have the potential to dine on the same table as the leading world’s stars, but I have to prove my talent in high-profile events starting with the Tunis championship.”
The Arusha boy disclosed that he has already embarked on “special training” for the African championship where he will face some of the continent’s finest players.
“I will be competing in a tougher event than the just ended one, so I have decided to start intensive training under my trainers.
“I really want to make my presence felt in Tunisia, so I have to go through some special training to match the fitness of players from the likes of Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana,” he said.
“It is my hope that I will be in a better shape before the event starts in March. I want to set a benchmark for others to follow in this year’s edition,” he said.
Arusha Gymkhana Club tennis section official Nico Jonas, backed the youngster to shine at the Tunis, saying he has what it takes to excel.
“The boy has made a significant improvement in his game, so I have no doubt that he will perform well in the championship and probably win the title,” he said.
“Ever since he joined the Burundi academy, he has been growing from strength to strength and this now is a perfect chance for him to show the continent what he is capable of.”
He said the Tunis event might serve as a platform, which would help him secure further scholarships and be able to train with elite African and European players.
“Besides improving his ranking in the African circuits, he may secure top scholarships, which may help him train with the world’s best,” he said.
“We are counting on him to be an Arusha sporting icon in a few years to come.”
Mallya moved up to the second place in East Africa according to the current rankings released by the Confederation of African Tennis [CAT] recently.
Not alone
Mallya is not alone. He will head to Tunisia alongside his compatriot Deogratias Ernest, who will compete in the Under-12 category.
Other Tanzanian representatives are Georgina Kaindoha who will be battling it out in the Under-16 event while Mandi Furaji looks to impress in the Under-14 competition.
Apart from Tanzania, other African countries expected to take part include Rwanda, Uganda, Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Lesotho, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and the hosts.