Ali Mufuruki

The chairman of the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club, Ali Mufuruki, has said plans are underway to construct new tennis courts beside refurbishment works of the existing ones.
The club has 15 hard courts available for competitions and recreational activities but does not meet international standard.

The DGC chairman was speaking during a prize presentation of the just ended Gold Star junior tennis championship over the weekend.
 The objective of construction of the modern courts is aimed at going at par with the standards of other countries. However, the new courts would also be an investment to host major international events.

 One of the shortfalls of the existing courts is lack of close changing and wash rooms and other facilities.

The substandard courts have been a burden as the country has missed opportunities to host major International Tennis Federation’s sanctioned events.

Mafuruki said DGC knows the venue is the hub for tennis development in the country and the club is doing everything possible to make construct international standard courts and upgrading the existing ones.

Over 45 junior players from Dar es Salaam and Arusha regions competed in the Gold Star tournament.
The DGC chairman reiterated the club’s committed in developing tennis from grassroots levels and the construction of the modern courts would intensify the initiative.

“We have plans to construct modern tennis court here and cash in to host international events, at the same time help our young players to improve their skills,” he said.
 Present during the presentation ceremony was visiting Egyptian Tennis Federation technical director Hans Nasser. Nasser shared Mafuruki’s observations.

The Egyptian said for the country to improve in tennis it must have some modern courts which can be used to host top international tournaments.

Nasser also urged hotel owners in the country to construct modern courts at their premises. He said all over the world some top tennis games are played at hotel courts, a move that can also boost tourism inflows.

The visiting coach also asked young players to make use of the Kijitonyama tennis courts.

He said the Kijitonyama courts can help develop the game in the country while calling for the management to organize weekly tennis trainings for primary school pupils within the proximity.

 During the Gold Star tourney, Jener Marwa won the under eight category while Ema Bramsen finished runners-up.
In under 10 girls, Asia Morris was the winner to beat Emiliana Kataboro to the runner-up spot.

In girls under 14, Sara Bura emerged the winner while Elaxanda Bramsen was the runner up and in under 18 category Sara Bura won while Michele Luyenga was her runner up.

 Other winners and runners up in various categories are as follows;
Boys under 10 Tegene Mufuruki and Adam Mwambunga; Boys under 12 Mutala Amani and Mazila Joshua; Boys under 14 Sadick Ibrahim and   Emmanuel Nicodemus.

The Gold Star information officer Sree Sabari Kumaran pledged his company to support towards tennis development in the country.