The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
TENNIS Zimbabwe president Biggie Magarira has described the late Gwinyai Chingoka as an energetic and free-spirited young man whose passing has left an irreplaceable hole in the sport.
Gwinyai, a former Zimbabwe Davis Cup player and the son of the late Paul Chingoka, died on Thursday after succumbing to injuries sustained from being hit by a car last week.
The tennis star had been in intensive care at a local hospital ever since.
He was 39.
“It’s quite sad! I knew the young man personally,” said the Tennis Zimbabwe boss.
“We went to the same church (St Gerard’s Catholic Church) and he was an energetic and free-spirited young man.
“He was always smiling and related to everyone, whether at church or within tennis circles.
“At church, he would serve every Sunday, chat with the kids and even offered some parish members free lessons during his spare time,” he said.
A former Davis Cup player who was ranked 112 by ITF in the junior category in 2005, Gwinyai had already started giving back to the tennis community at the time of his passing.
“Gwinyai (Chingoka) had many links to the tennis community outside Zimbabwe and had been working with us,” added Magarira.
“On top of coaching some of our junior players, he was also teaching underprivileged children tennis.
“In fact, he had just received some equipment to help with this initiative.
“We hope to carry on from where he left off and spread the game more.”
