The final time Eyewitness News spoke to wheelchair tennis player Ronewa Mudzanani, the para-athlete mentioned he wanted funding to proceed along with his profession.
Wheelchair tennis player Ronewa Mudzanani. Picture: Supplied.
JOHANNESBURG – Funding for paralympic sports activities continues to be a contentious speaking level in South Africa, with plenty of high athletes juggling careers and dealing with different hurdles in order to symbolize the nationwide group.
READ: Sparse funding has a debilitating influence on SA’s para-athletes
The final time Eyewitness News spoke to wheelchair tennis player Ronewa Mudzanani the para-athlete mentioned he wanted funding to proceed along with his profession.
READ MORE: Wheelchair tennis player Ronewa Mudzanani wants assist to attain his dream
“I would like to see disabled people being treated like other people, and many companies having disabled people and being able to accommodate them in the workplace. I wish the government could do something about this to ensure that companies have disabled people”.
My Visa to Turkey was authorised.
I thank everybody who contributed, with out you guys I’m nothing. Thank you to everybody who contributed these R50, R100 and extra made a distinction. I might be leaving on the eleventh November this coming Friday and return on 2nd of December. pic.twitter.com/gYoSb5Dc7U
Ronewa Mudzanani (@RonewaMudzanan1) November 7, 2022
Since then, he has obtained donations and sponsors from numerous organisations and people, and he’s heading to Turkey to strive higher his world rating.
“It was not easy at all, the cost which was needed for this tournament – flight money, entree fees and accommodation was a total of R64 000. I didn’t manage to raise all of this amount. I had to use my last money also so that I can be part of these tournaments. It was gonna be sad to end a year without playing any tournament as I needed to improve my rankings,” mentioned Mudzanani.
Never surrender pic.twitter.com/AXm3xQGXRP
Ronewa Mudzanani (@RonewaMudzanan1) October 11, 2022
“I hope to improve my rankings, compete with top players, and gain more experience. I am only 25 years old, so if I can compete more, I might see myself at the top in three to four years to come,” mentioned Mudzanani.
Mudzanani’s breakthrough got here in 2016 when he was nominated as one of many finalists in the Limpopo Sports Awards – the place he received the highest prize. He then captured the curiosity of Tennis South Africa – the place he was chosen to be a part of the nationwide aspect’s quad class.
The tennis player was a part of the South African quads’ wheelchair tennis group that secured a bronze medal on the 2021 BNP Paribas World Team Cup in Alghero, Sardinia.
“Finding myself representing my nation in 2021 BNP Paribas World Team Cup in Italy and successful the bronze medal, proper now, that’s the spotlight of my profession,” mentioned Mudzanani.
The group comprising Donald Ramphadi, Danny Mohlamonyane and Mudzanani defeated Japan 2-0 in the third-place play-off to clinch the bronze medal.
We are prepared for tomorrow pic.twitter.com/4N14F6xThg
Samuel Manenzhe (@manenzhe_samuel) October 7, 2022
Non-profit organisation, Mavu Sport Development has helped increase funds for Mudzanani.
“Ronewa is one of such athletes who approached us and who had a specific need for his career. Soon we sat down and realised that it is not only a financial need, that’s when we took him under our wing and managed to give him career support, financial support and personal and medical guidance,” mentioned COO Bram van Wijck.
Ronewa as the brand new Decathlon Ambassador!! @RonewaMudzanan1 pic.twitter.com/NgVs885Hvq
Mavu Sport Development (@MAVU_SD) July 30, 2022
The growth organisation focuses on grassroots growth. They have been ready to assist a couple of folks over time for whom the organisation managed to get exterior assist.
“All athletes that we ever supported have come to us and are incredibly passionate. Most of these athletes have been persistent for support several times before we took them in. At first, Ronewa had internship opportunities but no place to stay as he came from Venda.”
“People can support Ronewa’s cause by contributing Mavu, and use Ronewa as reference: Standard Bank: 03 250 3318, branch, Centurion. Mavu manages Ronewa’s funds and plans with him, accordingly” mentioned Wijck
Here is extra data on the upcoming tournaments in Turkey:
ASPENDOS OPEN (Future Series) 13 Nov -16 Nov
TBESF OPEN (Future Series) 18 Nov – 21 Nov
MTA OPEN (ITF 3)23 Nov – 26 Nov
ANTALYA OPEN (ITF 3)28 Nov to 01 Dec.