Wheelchair Tennis SA “Breaks the Mould”
Wheelchair Tennis South Africa (WTSA) is honoured to be invited to join international tennis stars, Venus and Serena Williams, at the launch of the ‘Breaking the Mould’ (BTM) campaign. Wheelchair tennis in itself breaks the mould by challenging the norms of sport and society’s preconceived ideas that a person with a disability can only compete against a person with a similar disability. Wheelchair tennis is one of the few disabled sports that can be fully integrated into mainstream sport. A person in a chair can play with or against another physically disabled or able bodied player. The rules remain the same with the exception that a person playing seated can elect to use 2 bounces of the ball.
The Williams sisters have agreed to champion the BTM Campaign because it exemplifies how determination, passion, hard work and self-belief can turn dreams into reality, despite obstacles that one may face. We at WTSA believe that it is fitting that our athletes, Kgothatso Montjane, our number one ranked woman player, and world number 10 will be taking to the court with SA’s number one men’s player, and world number 31, Evans Maripa. They will be joined by two top junior able bodied players, to play a curtain raiser to the Williams sister exhibition. Kgothatso and Evans both hail from Limpopo, and were both born with a congenital birth defect forcing them to have one or both their legs amputated below the knee. Due to ridicule, and nonacceptance from the community, were forced to leave home at the tender age of six years old to attend a special school catering for individuals with a disability. Both individuals have overcome their fair share of obstacles, and are an inspiration to those they meet. They live the values of the BTM campaign to make their dreams come true.
WTSA and its athletes are proudly sponsored by Airports Company South Africa, who have been the game sponsor since 2005. “It is through their generous sponsorship that we have touched the lives of many individuals and communities. We have programmes in over 35 schools and centres that combined, have over 400 players participating on a weekly basis. We host six international events locally, and have four athletes who qualified for the 2012 Paralympics,” saysy Xxxxxxxx, spokesperson of WTSA. , Through the SA Sports Trust, WTSA also fortunate to have been chosen as the BTM beneficiary for 2012. The funds will be used to provide access to coaching and more opportunities to young up-and-coming players to compete and excel.
WTSA, through its sponsorship by Airports Company South Africa, is determined to see physically
challenged individuals make sporting choices that support the pursuit of happiness and the
realisation of a full and meaningful life.
If you are interested in joining or supporting the programme,please contact Karen Losch, tel: 083 325 1169, fax: 086 651 6664 or e-mail:
karen@tennis.co.za