By Michael Uugwanga

TENNIS remains one of the least followed sport codes in the country, however there are some individuals that have taken own initiative to make sure that the sport of tennis becomes a leading code even in areas where it is little known. Tennis is mostly played in fewer towns countrywide, notably in Windhoek, Tsumeb, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Oranjemund and Grootfontein, but the town of Rundu can proudly claim itself as the future town of tennis in the country, following the establishment of a club named Rundu Tennis Academy that was founded in 2021, with the aim of nationalizing tennis.

The Rundu Tennis Academy is home to lots of future stars of tennis, who attend training on a weekly basis, just to learn how to beat a ball with a racket. This week Confidente caught up with the founder and coach of Rundu Tennis Academy, Korea Roseman as he narrates about establishment of the academy, its aims, challenges and the future of the academy.

“The academy was established in 2021 by me and I have about 60 players, as little as eight years, and we also have parents of players who have also registered with the academy. We have various age groups, such as U-8, U-10, U-14, U-21 and those above, in both boys and girls.

“The aim is just to grow the sport of tennis in the region (Kavango Region) and the country at large. We currently do not get any financial support from the office of the sport officer in the Kavango East Region, neither from the office of the councillor or even that of the Governor. 

“We mostly rely from players’ monthly contribution, with 50 percent of the amount paid going to cover transport for the players whenever they are going to play at national championship and also to buy rackets and tennis balls. U-8 and U-10 pays N$200 per month, U-14 pays N$300 , U-17 and U-19 pays N$350, above 21 pays N$400, while adults pays N$500 per month. The future of tennis in the region looks bright as the academy is open to anyone in the region,” said Roseman.

Sport facilities in the country remains the biggest obstacle, with tennis no exemption to its as far having proper courts is concern, although before Independence the country had one of the best sport facilities that today have turned into white elephants.  
“We just want to be availing a land to develop a tennis court so that we do accommodate more people. We cannot make use of the Rundu University of Namibia (UNAM) Campus as it belongs to the campus. 

This academy is under the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, and Arts & Culture, who I am grateful for their support towards transport only. If there is any person willing to volunteer to coach little ones is welcome, as previous volunteers have left for various reasons,” said Roseman.