One of the country’s top female tennis players, Joavinia Bezuidenhout, is appealing to the general public for assistance in acquiring a new racket, which costs N$5,000, to enable her to continue playing tennis.
Bezuidenhout (15) is undoubtedly one of the leading tennis players in the country, having represented Namibia at international level, notably at the Billie Jean King Cup in Kenya.
Her parents have covered her tennis expenses since childhood, but the burden has become too great. Consequently, she has decided to appeal to the public for financial assistance or a new racket. Her current racket is too heavy for her.
“I am currently playing with a racket that was donated to me, but I have injured myself on many occasions, especially my wrist, as it is too heavy, which significantly hampers my performance. Funding mostly comes from my parents; equipment and travel costs are a huge burden. Finances have forced my father to pick up the racket and start coaching me. The major constraint is attending major international tournaments.
“In a year, my parents spend approximately N$50,000 on transport, accommodation, equipment, food, and training,” said Bezuidenhout in an interview with Confidente this week. Bezuidenhout, a grade 10 pupil, is a product of the Kallies Tennis School and started playing tennis at the age of 9. Although she excelled in netball and sprinting, she decided to focus on tennis.
Her next tournament will be in Botswana next month (April), from the 7th to the 19th, for which she will need a new racket to perform well.
With the Kallies Tennis School only located in Windhoek and Swakopmund, the cost of traveling to Windhoek led her father to begin training her at the Okahandja Tennis Courts to reduce expenses.
She is also scheduled to attend a training camp at the prestigious Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in the USA.
The training camp in the USA is being funded by an individual who wishes to remain anonymous for now.
“I am currently homeschooling, which makes balancing sport and schoolwork very challenging, but I am managing. My next major tournament is the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World U18 junior tennis tournament in Botswana, followed immediately by the world junior tournament in Namibia. I am also going to the USA for a week of training.
“So far, I have participated in two events, winning one and finishing as runner-up in the other. It would be beneficial if the corporate world could invest in development programs,” said Bezuidenhout.
Those interested in supporting Bezuidenhout can contact her father at 0812774282.