Cape Town – A Mitchells Plain man has been selected to represent South Africa at the International Tennis Federation World Cup 2022 for beach tennis which will be held in Brazil.
Fabian Viljoen is realising his childhood dream after he was chosen to be part of an eight squad team.
But time is running out for players like Viljoen, 40, who has no sponsorship.
The ITF Beach Tennis World Cup 2022 will take place in Rio De Janeiro in Brazil between November 7 and 13.
Earlier this year Viljoen of Portland was part of the TSA, Tennis South African beach tennis tournament held in Centurion in Gauteng.
Viljoen and his tennis partner, Frans Ledwaba were a team.
Ledwaba has also been selected to be part of the South African team.
Viljoen is ranked 579 in the world which is part of the top 600 globally and is ranked 8th in South Africa’s ITF International Tennis Federation ranking.
Viljoen has a polished career which speaks volumes after he was asked in 2005 to be the tour coach for two local junior players in wheelchair tennis in the Netherlands, one of whom has reached top status, ranking number one in wheelchair tennis.
He was a tennis coach at Astra school for the Disabled where students were part of the International Tennis Federation in South Africa and helped to coach the Western Province team.
Viljoen said he was elated at being selected but that they had mere two months to raise funds.
Viljoen was raised by a single mother and is one of three children.
He has since been hosting beach tennis socials to give the ordinary man on the street the experience.
Viljoen is now trying to raise funds via a raffle but is appealing for sponsorship as he needs between R50 000 and R60 000 for accommodation, travelling, new equipment and to sustain their lives while being in Brazil.
“We require new paddles which are our beach tennis rackets,” he said.
“This includes our flights, accommodation, equipment and to sustain our life there as we will need meals.
“At this point there is no sponsorship and we have to find a sponsor.
“We have made an application but we just have about two months left.
“We are a team of eight, which includes four men, four women, of these two are reserves, I am the men’s reserve.
“I am excited to be representing South Africa.
“When we arrive there we will need at least a day to practise,, test the altitude and have a look at the sea level for tournament purposes.
“We are also keen to bring back what we learnt there as we will be learning from touring players,” he said.
Viljoen’s mother, Mary Viljoen said she was ecstatic and was praying that he would raise funds to make it to the World Cup.
“I am so proud of him, I have supported him since day one when he showed an interest in tennis.
“He always does his very best.
“We are praying and we are hopeful that he will manage to raise the funds he needs,” she said.
To find out more about the raffle and sponsorship opportunities contact Viljoen on 065 392 0829.
Absa banking details are as follows: Mr FC Viljoen, savings account, 9364143086, branch code 632005