The next Grand Slam stars or African Para Legends from SA need opportunities, which is why the revival of the wheelchair tennis programme in Cape Town is a big deal!
Cape Town, South Africa (20 September 2023) — When we look at the success of South African wheelchair tennis legends like Kgothatso Montjane (who recently earned her second Grand Slam Title) or Alwande Sikhosana (who won the African Para Games), we tend to wonder how many other talents are just waiting for the opportunity to be South Africa’s next wheelchair tennis star.
For almost five years now, school wheelchair tennis in Cape Town has reportedly stagnated. But, along with all that has begun to blossom in anticipation of spring, September has brought about renewed hope for future para-athletes in the tennis world.
Tennis South Africa recently announced that the wheelchair tennis stretch of the RCS Rising Star Tennis programme is on a path of revival, marking the end of the stagnation era.
Two schools, Astra Special School and Tembaletu Special School competed at the Bellville Tennis Club last week already.
“The inclusion of wheelchair tennis in the programme provides a platform for everyone to engage in the sport, fostering a sense of community and equality by providing equal opportunities for both able-bodied and individuals living with disabilities to participate and excel in tennis,” shared Tennis South Africa President Gavin Crookes.
The programme matters not just for para-athletes in the making, but for children from underserved areas where opportunities in sport are few and far between.
Thanks to revivals like this, the idea of the next Kgothatso Montjane, Alwande Sikhosana, Leon Els or Donald Ramphadi becomes less of a ‘what if’ thought, and more of a ‘why not’.