NOCZ congratulates Zambian tennis players for delivering outstanding performance at the Mika International Tournament

Zambia’s sensational tennis star Natasha M. Chewe, over the weekend, emerged the winner of the Women’s Singles during the Mika International Tournament hosted in Lusaka. Chewe recorded an amazing 6-4, 7-6 to defeat Nancy Onya of D.R. Congo.

NOCZ Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi with tennis players Natasha M. Chewe and Edgar Kazembe.

Chewe, who is currently ranked No. 4 on national rankings, elevated her ranking to number 3 following her amazing showpiece. Her triumph also ended a four-year spell during which the prestigious tournament had been dominated by foreign players, a historic moment for Zambian women’s tennis.

A celebration for Zambia didn’t just end on Chewe, as the men’s singles celebrated number one tennis player Edgar Kazembe reached the men’s singles final but fell short to Zimbabwe’s Sibanda D. Mehluli, who recorded a 4-6, 1-6 win.

Despite the loss, which Kazembe attributed to an injury, he became the first Zambian male player to ever achieve the milestone in the last three years of the Mika International Tournament.

National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi, who was present to witness and present an award to some of these players, congratulated the Zambia Tennis Association and its sponsors for bringing together players to take part in the tournament. Kambikambi observed that Zambia has great tennis players, stating that it is through similar tournaments that their skills on the field of play are improved.

Kambikambi reminded the Zambia Tennis Association that NOCZ remains committed to supporting activities that would foster the growth of tennis in Zambia and ensure that more athletes benefit from international exposure and opportunities to compete with others.

Meanwhile, Zambia Tennis Association president Lighton Musonda expressed gratitude to the NOCZ for showing support and being present to cheer on Zambian players.