20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer is open to the possibility of playing an exhibition match in Africa for the first time in his career.
The world No.2 recently visited Zambia to see the projects his charity is running. The Roger Federer foundation, which aims to improve poverty for Children in Switzerland and Africa, has been working with the African nation since 2011. Alongside local partners People’s Action Forum, Reformed Open Community Schools and the Zambia Open Community School. At least 220,000 children have benefited from improved education, according to a press release from the organisation.
During his trip, Federer has called for African countries to help promote tennis to rural areas. Zambia currently has no players ranked on either the men’s or women’s tour. According to Unicef, 64% of the population live below the poverty live.
“In Zambia, we need more tennis courts, the game is not even known out there. We still have a long way to go. Zambia is a big country with hard to reach areas. Children need to be exposed to Tennis as the sport teaches you lifelong lessons.” Zambian media outlet The Lusaka Times quoted Federer as saying.
Federer could play a key role in helping promote the sport in the continent. Whilst speaking to reporters earlier this week, he isn’t ruling out the possibility of playing an exhibition match in Africa. The Swiss 36-year-old has participated in a series of ‘Match For Africa’ charity nights in aid of his foundation in Europe and North America. In March a charity event in San Jose raised over $2.5 million by the end of the night.
“I played in Morocco in 2002 in the Davis Cup but I haven’t played anywhere south of the continent, maybe this year or next year if we see how my fitness levels are,” he said about playing in Africa.
Besides having a go at teaching school children, Federer also held meetings with the president of Zambia and other senior members of the government. As a goodwill gesture he presented the president with one of his signed rackets.
“We (the Roger Federer foundation) have been operating in Zambia together with our local partners since 2011 and by the end of 2018, we will have invested US$5.1 million in Zambia. I urge the Government to expedite the establishment of the early childhood policy framework to enable organisations operate more effectively.’ Federer said.
Federer is currently absent from the tour after choosing to skip the clay season for a second consecutive year. He is set to return to action in June at the Stuttgart Open.
https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/989338438129410048
