31/05/2026
By Caleb Chikele✍🏽
Zambian Tennis Association
LUSAKA TO HOST ITF WORLD TENNIS TOUR JUNIORS J30
LLUSAKA is set to host the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors J30 tournament from June 15 to 27, bringing together some of the world's most promising young tennis players in an event expected to boost the development of junior tennis in Zambia.
Tournament Director Raggs Tarwirwa Chikunichawa says Zambia will be hosting the prestigious junior tournament for the first time in 23 years, with between 90 and 100 athletes from at least 27 countries expected to participate.
Chikunichawa said extensive preparations have been underway over the past two months to ensure the successful hosting of the international event.
"There's been quite a lot of work that has been going on in the last two months just to make sure the tournament is set up," he said.
He explained that the top 62 players will qualify directly for the main draw, while the remaining participants will compete in qualifying matches for a place in the tournament.
Chikunichawa noted that the tournament presents a rare opportunity for Zambian players to gain international experience without leaving the country and compete against some of the best junior players from around the world.
He added that strong performances could help local players improve their international rankings.
"For the spectators, it's going to be an experience of high-quality tennis for a period of two weeks. We encourage spectators, parents and tennis enthusiasts to come through to Lusaka Tennis Club to witness international tennis," Chikunichawa said.
Meanwhile, Zambia Tennis Association Secretary General Joe Siame said hosting the tournament will help place Zambia firmly on the global tennis map.
Siame said the competition will create a pathway for elite tennis development in the country while encouraging clubs, parents and sponsors to invest more in the sport.
"The tournament creates a pathway for elite tennis in the country. It motivates clubs, parents and sponsors to invest more into tennis," he said.
He further noted that the event will provide local players with valuable scouting opportunities that would otherwise require expensive international travel.
"College coaches and academies track ITF results. Playing well in a home J30 puts Zambian players on their radar, giving them exposure they wouldn't get in local tournaments," Siame said.
The tournament is expected to showcase high-level junior tennis while providing a platform for Zambia's young athletes to test themselves against international competition on home soil.This version reads like a standard ZANIS sports story: strong lead, key facts early, quotes in the middle, and a concluding paragraph that highlights the significance of the event.
By Caleb Chikele
