North-West University (NWU) student Mogami Gideon Thakgwe has been invited to take part in the KM Sports International Premier Tennis Challenge.

The tournament – which will take place from 9 to 14 January 2021 at Selbourne Park in East London – is endorsed by Tennis SA and is being hosted by KM Sports, in association with the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, and Buffalo City Metro municipality. 

KM Sports identified Mogami, a final-year sociology student, through the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Tennis Tournament.

“I was a provincial player, but during the USSA Tennis Tournament held in Stellenbosch University in 2019 I was selected as part of the USSA Tennis National team,” says Mogami.

He is already training very hard in preparation for this tournament.

“In tennis you need to train regularly, especially when preparing for a tournament like this one.”

Mogami says tennis is more than a sport to him. “Not only does it keep me active, but it’s also therapeutic and helps me to tackle my daily challenges head on.”

When not playing tennis, he also likes to do aerobics, cycle and walk.

About the tournament

A total pot of R120 000 in prize money and vouchers are up for grabs, with the men's and women's open singles winners each taking home R20 000.

KM Sports founder and tournament organiser Khayalethu Majeke says the five-day tournament aims to contribute to the promotion and development of the sport in the country.

Mogami Thakgwe has been invited to take part in the KM Sports International Premier Tennis Challenge in January 2021.