German envoy donates tennis equipment

German Ambassador, Dr Peter Woeste, has donated tennis equipment to a Mzuzu-based organisation, Saved By the Ball (SBB).

The equipment which included rackets, was privately sourced by the ambassador and was handed over to SBB director Owen Mfune at the German Embassy offices in Lilongwe on Tuesday.

Woeste said he decided to donate the rackets after receiving SBB’s 2012 annual report, but he could not reveal the cost of the equipment.

Mfune described the donation as timely and a big rescue.

“Our players have been using rackets that are not fit for their age group and level of playing, but now they can use rackets suitable for both national and international games,” said Mfune.

SBB, which, started in 2009 is supported by Luke International, Norway and currently works with 800 children from several schools and youth organisations in Mzuzu.

SBB regularly organises competitions and includes HIV and Aids awareness and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) in the schools training sessions and tournaments.

The organisation has produced players such as Mary Luhanga who won silver in the ladies singles at the 2012 Zone VI Games held in Zambia.