Ghana will host Armenia in the Davis Cup Euro Africa Group Zone II, tournament at the Accra Sports Stadium from 12 - 14 July 2002. The winner of this encounter will stay in group two while the loser will be demoted to group three.
According to Mr David Churcher, coach of Golden Rackets, the national tennis team, the group comprising Ukraine, Bulgaria, Cote d’Ivoire and Denmark is one of the toughest in the tournament and therefore there was the need to train very hard to win.
“Other countries in the group like Yugoslavia, Hungary, Ireland, Slovenia, Luxembourg and others will also pitch their strength against others.
On Rackets’ preparation towards the tournament, the coach pointed out that he is currently training with three local players and based on their performance, attitude and approach to training, one of them will be selected to join the foreign-based players. He disclosed that the foreign-based players have automatic players in the team based on their experience and exposure.
The foreign-based players to feature for Ghana are Britain-based Gunther Darkey, who will be arriving in the country on Saturday 29 June, Ireland-based Frank Ofori, who will also arrive on 8 July and Gilbert Adjei Darko who is currently playing his professional circuit in east Africa.
Coach Churcher named the three local players as Akwesi Ahenkora, Patrick Nortey and Fred Agyir. He disclosed that the team will soon move to Winneba to start their residential camping and will be joined by their foreign counterparts when they arrive.
On the performance of Ghana Tennis, the coach believed that the country’s current position is encouraging. He added that this tournament will offer Ghana the chance to prove to the world that Ghana has something to offer.