The sixth edition of the Tennis For All National Junior Open came to a close over the weekend at Kabira Country Club in Kampala.
The weeklong event was graced by over 70 youngsters from different age groups but not over the age of 14.
At least six academies including; hosts Tennis For All Uganda, Let’s Play Tennis Uganda, Kabira Country Club, Prodigy Sports Academy, Lugogo Sports Club and Kampala Club among others graced the do.
After witnessing a great display of the game by the players, Tournament Director, Julius Kyobe believes that the youngsters can be a great asset to the game if they continue participating in tournaments like the Tennis For All National Junior Open.
“The players have shown that they have the potential to steer the game to greater heights and I believe if they remain focused and determined they can go far and I believe the country can benefit a lot from them,” Kyobe said in a missive.
Ever since its inception, Kololo Primary School courts have been home to the tournament but change in venue happened following the event’s hype that grew two fold after Rajiv Ruparelia offered the organizers Julius Kyobe and Vincent Muwereza the well kempt Kabira Country Club courts.
At Kabira, the youngsters continued to harness their talents as justified by their results from the different four age-categories (Under 8, Under 10, Under 12 and Under 14) for the respective sexes; boys and girls.
Some youngsters like Dhannvi Dechamma, Francis Owana, Jill Torres Acar, Hannah Ainembabazi Bagaya and Cillian Ndilima, son of Uganda Tennis Association (UTA) president Cedric Babu Ndilima maintained a stronghold in their respective age categories with a third successive appearance in the final.
“I had not watched wonderful talents and really well behaved kids in a long time. Thanks to Rajiv Ruparelia and Kabira Country Club for the courts as well as the organisers for continuing to do good with the youngsters. I salute all the academies and parents, too! This unity is the way to go,” Babu said at the end of the event.
FINALS RESULTS
Boys Under 14
Abdul Latif beat Cillian Ndilima 10/8, 10/7
Girls Under 14
Dhannvi Dechamma beat Jill Torres Acar 10/8, 10/7
Boys Under 12
Francis Owana beat Mikye Warom 10/6, 10/5
Girls Under 12
Anisha Nakato beat Claire Nalubula 10/6, 10/8
Boys Under 10
Muzamiru Arafat beat Ronnie Ogem 10/8, 10/7
Girls Under 10
Praise Agenomungu beat Sheena Amanda Ssenyomo 10/5, 10/8
Boys Under 8
Hussein Lukman beat Joshua Magoba 10/7, 10/9
Girls Under 8
Hope Amor beat Hannah Ainembabazi Bagaya 10/7, 5/10, 10/9
