Golden Rackets Prepare For Davis Cup

The national tennis team, Golden Rackets will trek to Namibia to compete with seven other nations in this year's Davis Cup tournament scheduled to take place from May 10 to May 16.

The countries are: Madagasccar Turkey, Kenya, Togo, Benin, Coted?lvoire, and the host nation, Namibia. Out of the eight nations, only two will be promoted to group two while the rest get relegated to group four. Ghana lost to Slovenia and Tunisia in a play-off in the last year's edition, and were subsequently demoted from group two to group three. The Rackets must now play with as many as seven countries instead of 'playing one-on-one to steer clear her position in the circles of Africa tennis.

Being their maiden international tournament this year, the Rackets are expected to be either the first or with the first to ensure that Ghana gets promotion to group two to begin her success journey that will elevate the nation?s tennis to another level.

In respect of this, the Ghana Tennis Association (GTA), is currently preparing the local players namely, Henry Adjei Darko, Patrick Nortey and Frederick Egyiri while awaiting the foreign-based players to join the local ones for a justify-your-inclusion exercise to select the best team for the tie.

In an interview with the head coach of the national team, Mr David Churcher, he said Salifu Mohammed, Akwasi Ahenkora, Samuel Fumi (all based in the US) and London-based Gunther Darkey have already been invited. He expressed the hope that they would arrive in Ghana six weeks before the competition.

He explained that their early camping would enable the players train well especially for the doubles. However, George Buckman and Solomon Koomson who have expressed their interest to come down from London for the justifier, are expected in the country at the end of March.

Mr Churcher disclosed that among the players invited from abroad Fumi, Buckman and Solomon Koomson will foot their own air fare. He, however, said their monies would later be refunded to them if they are able to book a place in the final team.

He further explained that the government is paying for others because they form the core of the national team and have always been at the service of the nation. During a telephone conversation with Buckman, he disclosed to the Graphic Sports that though he was not offically invited, "I love to come down at my own expense in a bid to participate in the justifier which I believe will push me into the national team", he added.

Buckman who now plays for a tennis team in London called Shandol Tennis Club said he will be a bit disappointed if he fails in his attempt to participate in the upcoming Davis Cup competition.

"I stopped competing for Ghana a couple of years ago and my current form could only be assessed through such meets to convince officials of the GTA. l therefore have to prove my worth in this regard", he said.