THE International Tennis Federation (ITF) has rejected Zimbabwe’s application to hosting 2008 Euro Africa Zone Group Three relegation playoffs penciled for April next year.

According to Patricia Mavhunduke, who is the Tennis Zimbabwe (TZ) administrator, the world tennis controlling body gave Bulgaria the right to host the tournament.

“We applied for the right to host Davis Cup Competition next year, but ITF gave Bulgaria the right to host. It is just unfortunate that we lost the right to host the tournament. We were hoping that the Tennis Center currently under construction at Harare Sports Club would lure ITF.”

The cold shoulder from ITF comes at a wrong time for the Anne Martin and Tanyaradzwa Chinamo executives that were reelected last month.

Last year Tunisia hosted the tournament in which Zimbabwe finished fifth to qualify for the relegation play-offs.

The team, led by Genius Chidzikwe failed to stand the heat in North Africa to finish on position five in their group.

Zimbabwean tennis, once an oasis of excellence in a desert of mediocrity during the era of the Black sibling (Wayne and Byron) and Kevin Ullyet, has plunged into obscurity.

Zimbabwe, led by the irrepressible trio claimed the scalp of Australia at their home ground in Mildura in 1999 when Zimbabwe was still in the elite World group.

Then, the Aussies with their world acclaimed pair of the Woodies (Todd Woodford and Mark Woodbridge) fell 3-2 in the hands of too still a memorable victory that is still fresh in people’s minds.

The Australians were not the only ones who fell victim to Zimbabwe. Among those whose scalps were claimed also includes the Chileans.

This is not the first time international sport controlling bodies have rejected Zimbabwe’s application to host international competition.

Many sports fans will remember that ZIFA lost their right to host the 2000 Africa Cup of Nation because of poor preparations.

ZIFA again failed to host the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations after being found short in their preparations.

Only basketball has managed to host a regional tournament after hosting the Zone Six Basketball qualifiers last year.

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