White Rhinos host inaugural Zimbabwe Defence Forces tennis event

The ZNA White Rhinos Tennis Club is hosting the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Tennis Tournament for the first time. Ten teams will compete for titles over a three-day period at the Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks Tennis Courts.

Colonel Fungayi Mapaya, the ZNA Director of Civil Military Relations, stated that sport is a vital element in ensuring soldiers remain versatile and combat-fit. He noted that physical training and sporting activities are essential for the health and well-being of military personnel. According to Mapaya, the tournament allows soldiers to interact and compete outside of their standard duties while fostering discipline, cohesion, and teamwork.

This inaugural hosting represents a significant milestone for the White Rhinos Tennis Club. The competition is part of the broader ZDF tennis calendar and is scheduled to run until Sunday.

The club received a boost prior to the start of the tournament through a donation from Arlo FEMI (Pvt) Ltd. The local company provided the club with sporting kit, including T-shirts, caps, tracksuits, and souvenirs. Colonel Mapaya expressed appreciation for the support, noting that such contributions help develop the tennis discipline within the ZNA and improve player morale.

Arlo FEMI director Geoffrey Chihuri pledged ongoing assistance for the club's activities and accepted an honorary membership with the White Rhinos. During the event, the Guest of Honour encouraged the White Rhinos to perform well to honour the support received and represent the Arlo FEMI brand successfully.

The tournament aims to strengthen sporting connections within the defence forces while providing a platform for personnel to maintain physical fitness through competitive play.