The Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre in Soweto, which has fallen into disrepair since its construction 30 years ago, is getting a multimillion-rand facelift that will provide a major boost for the development of the game.
At an on-site function at White City, Jabavu, on Wednesday, it was announced that R4,5-million has been raised to fund the project that will restore the centre to its former glory.
Of this amount, R3,5-million has been made available by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) and R1-million by the Gauteng provincial government.
In addition, the Jo’burg metropolitan council has undertaken to appoint a full-time on-site caretaker and provide the necessary maintenance and security for the centre that will include total perimeter fencing.
Completion of the project, which will form part of an all-sports complex, is set for June 2006.
There has been total commitment to the project from Barbara Creecy, provincial minister for sport, arts, culture and recreation; the NLDTF through the Sport and Recreation Distributing Agency; and councillor Amos Masondo, executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg.
Creecy, who helped mobilise funding for the project, said: ”We can do no less in honour of the legend who inspired this tennis complex and serve the needs of Soweto in line with our programmes to promote sports and ensure active and healthy communities.”
‘Red-letter day’
Ian Smith, CEO of the South African Tennis Association (Sata), said: ”This is indeed a red-letter day for South African tennis and for Soweto. The rebuilding of the Arthur Ashe centre is a landmark that we hope will become a beacon of hope for the rest of the country.
”It is, after all, through well-maintained tennis centres in the townships that we, as the custodians of tennis in our country, can pursue our goal of introducing the game to the previously disadvantaged communities, identifying and nurturing new talent, and ultimately ensuring that South Africa produces a galaxy of new stars and champions.
”The rebuilding of the Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre is central to these objectives, and none of this would be possible without the commitment of certain key individuals and organisations.
”I would therefore like to express the heartfelt gratitude of South African tennis to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, in the persons of Joe Foster, Joe Phaala and Professor Vevek Ram, for their understanding and foresight in the realisation of this important project.
”On the same note, we extend our sincerest appreciation to the MEC, Ms Barbara Creecy, for the material and moral support that has been forthcoming from the Gauteng provincial government, and to the mayor, councillor Amos Masondo, and councillor Christine Walters for appreciating the role that this centre can play in the lives of young Sowetans and for the support he has promised from the Jo’burg metropolitan council.”
Smith said that in time the plan is for tennis clinics for all interested youngsters to be held every day of the week, as well as tournaments and clinics for coaches.
The centre dates back to the 1970s when Ashe, the famous American top-10 star who became the first black player to win Wimbledon, combined with former South African tennis promoter Owen Williams to make it a reality.
It was originally completed in 1976, with eight courts — five with floodlights — and facilities to house 2 500 spectators. Since then, it has fallen into disrepair and efforts by Sata in the early 1990s to restore it did not meet with success.
Earlier this year, Sata invited former South African cricket chief Dr Ali Bacher to chair a steering committee to drive the current project. He had a strong ally in Bongani ”Wire” Zondi, a city councillor for the region and a dynamic member of the Sata executive. — Sapa