WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – On the back of the recently concluded Trustco NTA Juniors Tournament, sponsored by Trustco Group Holdings, junior tennis will reach its annual pinnacle with the upcoming Trustco NTA Junior Masters Tournament 2020. The tournament is scheduled to take place on the 6th and 7th of November 2020 in Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. As a longstanding strategic partner of Trustco, the Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) recorded well over 90 juniors who participated in the last sponsored tournament which was held on the 9th and 10th of October, an indication that players are coming out in great numbers to showcase their talent.
The Trustco NTA Junior Masters Tournament is an exclusive event and serves as a badge of honour for the best junior players, as qualification for this prestigious event is by ranking points and invitation only. Throughout the year players have been taking part in the NTA national tennis tournaments to accumulate ranking points. It is these points that are considered to determine the top eight in each age and gender group and only the best of the best in Namibia are then invited to participate in the tournament. Invitations are sent out to the top eight boys and girls from under 10 (U/10) to under 18 (U/18). However, with the impact of Covid-19 nationally this year, many players, from especially the coastal towns, were not able to partake in the majority of tournaments
as a result of regional lockdowns and this was taken into consideration with the invitation of a number of additional deserving players.
Neville Basson, Head of Corporate Communications at Trustco said, ‘’Under very difficult circumstances our junior players, as well as their parents, who have sacrificed so much this year, managed to still support and improve the quality of the game and sportsmanship that the players bring to the courts every time. We are confident that this level of dedication, through our continued support in junior tennis, can only take our serve to the next level ‘’.
As announced recently by the President of Namibia, His Excellency Dr Hage Geingob, the limitation of the number of people allowed at public gatherings were increased, allowing for up to 200 spectators at this year’s Masters. Trustco, in partnership with the NTA, will nevertheless ensure that all safety measures relating to Covid-19 will be maintained. The weekend’s activities will be officially opened with a welcoming ceremony on Friday evening the 6th of November 2020 at the Central Tennis Club, commencing at 19:00. The starting time for games on Friday the 6th will be from 14h00 and on Saturday 7 November from 8h00. The game format for the weekend will be as follows: players participating in the age groups U/12 to U/18 will play two full sets with a super tiebreak up to ten points in the case of one set all. The U/14 to U/18 players’ finals will be played best of three full sets. And U/10 players will use green dot balls and play one pro set up to 8 games. If the score is seven games all, a normal tiebreak up to seven points will be played.
The Chairperson of Junior Tennis Namibia, Santie van Der Walt said, ‘’It is always a welcome relief knowing that we have the support of Trustco. Their professionalism and creativity adds new and exciting elements to the detail of our tournaments every year, which surely makes our job much easier here at the NTA. Thank you once again Trustco, we will ensure that your flag flies high with us. It is indeed well deserved!’’
Trustco Group wishes all players well, encourages them to give their very best and above all to enjoy themselves. Parents are also urged to keep supporting their children’s dreams by encouraging them through a tough but rewarding weekend of tennis.
The NTA and Trustco invite the media and the public at large to come and observe the best of the best in the country as they face off for the finals and earn the prestigious title of the Junior Masters Champion.
The venues earmarked for this tournament are: Police Courts
Central Tennis Courts
SKW