Four wheelchair tennis players from the University of Venda will lead the campaign of the South African Wheelchair Tennis team in the Invacare World Team Cup (IWTC), which will take place from July 27 in Nottingham in the United Kingdom.

The South African teams consist of four male players and three female players with four of these seven players from Limpopo, all students at Univen. They are Kgothatso Montjane, Desmond Monyamane, Evans Maripa and Sydwell Mathonsi. Kgothatso and Sydwell are currently ranked number one in South Africa in the women’s and men’s divisions respectively. Kgothatso is also number 17 in the world.

Often referred to as the Davis and Federations Cup of wheelchair tennis, the event is the largest wheelchair tennis competition in the world, bringing together elite wheelchair tennis players from all corners of the globe.

Making up the South African men’s team is Sydwell Mathonsi, Desmond Monyamane, Evans Maripa, and Marshall Marsh, while Kgothatso Montjane, Celia Botha and Nancy Moremi were named as the women’s team. Holger Losh will take the position of the men’s coach, while Craig Fairall will coach the women’s team.

South Africa’s hopeful and women’s number one, Kgothatso Montjane, is confident about the team’s performance at the tournament. “We are very excited to be taking part in the Invacare World Team Cup. We have been practicing hard for the competition and feel well prepared to play our best tennis yet - especially since we have the ACSA Mafikeng Open and the ACSA Johannesburg Open under our belts. The amazing thing for some of us is that we will be competing against our personal heroes and players whom we have admired all our sporting careers. We are very excited to not only meet these players, but also to have the chance to take them on at a competitive level. We are ready to make South Africa proud.”

This year celebrates the silver anniversary of the Invacare World Team Cup, making it a unique occasion for all those involved.

With more than thirty nations, 200 players and 150 additional guests taking part, the Invacare World Team Cup is clearly a major event. “This will be my second year competing in the World Team Cup and I can’t wait! Last year was about gaining experience and learning as much as I could from the tournament and other players. This year I am out to win as I feel like I will be able to handle the pressure better. I hope to do well,” says Montjane.

“The players selected for the 2009 team all show consistent performance, solid skills, passion for the sport and dedication. Both teams have players who have represented South Africa at previous World Team Cups as well as players who are having their first exposure at an event of this magnitude. The experience some players such as Kgothatso Montjane and Sydwell Mathonsi have of playing in the World Team Cup will be invaluable to the team, especially to the younger players, as we prepare for the 2012 Paralympics.” says Holger Losch, director of wheelchair tennis and the men’s team coach.