Monday, August 22, 2011

13 Aug 2011 Malezi School Are National Tennis Champions 2011

Richard Ooko in perfect balance
Captain Amadi Kagoma led Malezi School and Nairobi Province to successfully defend their Boys and Girls titles at the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Games, which ended on the 13th August 2011. Amadi overcame the biggest opposition, pushing Tony Orwa of Central Province to second place. Malezi's Yasin Lila Shabani was third. In the boys doubles, Jamin Luvembe and Richard Ooko proved themselves worthy for the second year running, lifting the title with ease. Says Jamin, "We have been working hard all year, we just needed to keep doing the same".

At the nationals in Kisumu last year, rookies Lorna Bhwejje and Melissa Brown had difficulty keeping it together, and lost the doubles to Central Province at the semis, and it fell to Sakina Nshimirimana and Teresa Odera to work to win the championship trophy. This year, the more determined and confident pair, Lorna and Melissa took every match without dropping a single set, to keep the trophy at Malezi and earn valuable points for Nairobi Province for yet another year.

Captain Amadi's comment was "The standard of tennis has improved a lot, especially amongst the boys. But we have also improved, putting in a lot of effort, and it has paid. Being part of Sadili Talent Training Academy is also a big boost for us, giving us the confidence we need to play at any level. I am very proud to be part of Malezi School, and our team spirit will definitely carry us to perform well again next year". Amadi takes over captaincy from Terry Odera (2010), and will be leading the team into 2012 season. Teresa is a freshman playing varsity tennis in Iowa, USA.

Malezi School have been national champions for 9 years running and now taking their 10th, with successful teams ensuring that they keep winning the championships for Nairobi Province and their school.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

20 Aug 2011 Sadili Talent Training Academy Perform At ITF/CAT Event

Henry Ayesiga
8 months into its inception, Sadili Talent Training Academy team comprising of Henry Ayesiga (UG), Shebani Kabura (BDI), John Lutaya (UG), David Nesbitt (USA) and Olivier Kigotho (KE), beat all odds to leave a positive mark at the just ended African 14 and Under Circuit tournaments held in Bujumbura, Burundi. In the 1st tournament, David Nesbitt won his first round match against Iranyumva Jeze (BDI) 6/2, 4/6, 7/6(3) and was then stopped in the second round by seed 3 Shabani Kassalo (BDI). Team mates John Lutaya and youngest team member Olivier Kigotho were unfortunately, drawn against each other in the first round, with Lutaya winning 6-1, 6-0. Kigotho moved on to the backdraw where he won Iranyumva Jeze 7/6, 6/2 to take position 21, while Nesbitt lost to Bill Makoyi (TZ) 3/6, 4/6 to take position 16. Lutaya moved on to second round, where he met and beat Jules Ndibwami (RWA) 6/0, 6/4. In the quarters, he met and lost to top seed Saidi Nkurunzinza quarters, 6/0, 7/5 following a nervous start. Shebani Kabura (seed 2) played John Njau (TZ), a tough encounter 6/3, 1/6, 6/4, then faced Ernest Habiyambere (BDI) 3/6, 6/0, 6/4 to set up a semi-final clash against Henry Ayesiga. Ayesiga (seed 8) overcame Muhamed Omar (BDI) 5/7, 6/4, 6/4 to meet seed 3, Shabani Kassalo (BDI), upsetting him in a close encounter, 2/6, 6/4, 6/3. Team mates Kabura and Ayesiga had to fight it out, with Kabura taking the win 6/7(2), 6/4, 6/2, but losing in the finals to top seed Saidi Nkurunzinza 6/7(5), 3/6. Kabura finished second, Ayesiga 3rd and Lutaaya 8th. In the doubles, Nesbitt/Kigotho beat Ntatangwa Kempt/Cedric Muyire 5/7, 6/3, 11/9 before losing to second seeds Kassalo/Omari 2/6, 0/6 in the quarters. Ayesiga/Lutaya (3) beat Makoyi/Njau 6/2, 6/3, then lost to Nkurunzinza/Kabura (1), 5/7, 2/6. Nurunzinza/Shabani won the doubles, beating Kassalo/Omari 6/4, 6/3

In the second tournament, David Nesbitt lost in the first round to Ibrahim Kessy (TZ) 1/6, 3/6, and went ton to reach the semi-finals of the backdraw, losing to Keith Wakatama (ZIM) 1/6, 1/6. Kigotho also lost in the first round and reached the quarters of the backdraw, losing to Musa Juma (BDI) 4/6, 3/6. Lutaya met and beat Ibrahom Kessy 6/1, 6/3 before, once again a quarter-final meeting top seed Saidi Nkurunzinza (BDI) and fighting hard to push him, finally losing in the third set 1/6, 6/4, 4/6. Second seed, Sadili player, Shabano Kabura, beat Aiesha Chikanda (ZIM) 6/1, 6/0 and John Njau (TZ) 7/6(4), 6/4 to meet a revived team mate, Henry Ayesiga, to whom he lost 2/6, 6/3, 1/6 in the semi-finals. A determined Ayesiga, mauled over Djuma Hakizimana (BDI) 6/0, 6/1, Mohamed Omar (BDI) 6/3, 3/6, 62 to get to the semis. In the finals, he worked patiently through the match against Shabani Kassalo (who had also upset top seed Saidi in the semis) to win the crown 7/6(4), 6/1. In the doubles, Nkurunzinza/Shabani remanined unbeatable, grabbing the top berth after making short work of Wakatama/Chikanda 6/3, 6/3, Njau/Uwimana 6/2, 6/2 and Kassalo Mohammed 6/4, 4/6 (8). Lutaya/Ayesiga beat Nganyi/Hakiza 4/6, 6/3 (8) then lost in the semi-finals to Kassalo/Mohammed 2/6, 1/6. All in all, the STTA gathered an impressive number of points, placing them in lead positions from both tournaments.

The final rankings for the Sadili team was: Henry Ayesiga (1), Shabani Kabura (3), John Lutaya (6), David Nesbitt (18) and Olivier Kigotho (22).

Saturday, August 20, 2011

6 August 2011 Aicho Is Top Scorer At PEEPOOPLE Tournament


By Coach Odhis
Sadili soccer academy  featured in three categories at the tournament : U 17, U14 and the ladies U15 categories.
The U 17 having had to play in the school games were caught red handed and could not make it even to the quarters finals they lost their first match to Morefire FC 2-0 before going for a draw of 0-0 with Lexus which made them wave bitterly to the tournament.
The U14 category played three matches before landing to quarters where their journey ended in their first debut they beat red arrows 6-1 this was were Anthony Omondi made a heart trick before Dennis Isiau netted 2 goals and Eric Onyango had his name also in the score list. In the second match they beat Catalands 2-0 then drew 1-1 with Kigulu FC both goals being scored by Eric Onyango who was the captain of the side. In the quarter finals Sadili met with the resurgent home team Morefire who drubbed them 3-1 a match that saw the fans getting annoyed with the referee for being one sided causing the loss of Sadili however all the fans and officials appreciated the game that was displayed by Sadili from the start of the tournament to their exit.
In the ladies category Sadili queens shone out showing their pride and due to overconfidence lost in their finals in penalty shoot out to their bitter rivals Shofco Queens. In the first encounter Sadili met with Elimu girls whom they thrashed 2-0 goals .the second match Sadili were less players in the pitch with their confidence the hammered shofco queens 2-0 this led to them landing strait to semi finals.
In the semi finals Sadili met with Barcelona their home tough   with the pride to retain Sadili queens showered the home team 2 – 0 to reach the finals. In the finals Sadili being over confident and not knowing that shofco had gone for a long search coming with all guest players , the match ended  0-0 score. Even through Sadili displayed all the techniques swinging the ball left and right and all the tricks but schofos defence was a wall to crack  this led to penalty shootout where Sadili were send home  crying with a 5-4 score. However Sadili retained the best player of the tournament who was Jemimah Akinyi  alias “macheda”and the top scorer Eveline Aicho who is also the teams captain. Sadili was also congratulated for their discipline and for having clean and well kitted players. The tournament officials were also moved by the confidence of the teams coach who encouraged his players to face the challenge and play even though they were few.

8th August 2011 Sadili Soccer at Left Foot League Update


Sadili soccer is playing U 13 and U 15 categories at our first Left Foot Soccer League. In the ongoing U15 category Sadili team is in the "group of death", Group A. Sadili first played Shangilia from Kangemi, in a tough opening encounter, with Sadili requiring the magic of Eric Onyango who scored twice before Jesse Mwenda applied his swiftness and Kevin Owino, his intelligence, to thrash their opponents 4 – 1. In the second encounter Sadili Soccer Academy played Milimani Primary, a tactical game which worked for about 10 minutes, before the impatient and roaring Sadili team took lead with a culminating shot from Jesse Mwenda with John Peter closing the door, to end the match 2 – 0. The third match was a walkover since Lavington primary were unable to compose a team. 
        The U13 team is drawn in Pool B and, after playing two matches, they are lying 4th in the group with four points. In their first match, Sadili played Millimani Primary winning 4-2 from the artistic play of Levis Osena scoring a hat trick and Evans Otieno coming in from the bench to put his name in the score sheet with a clinical finish from a superb pass of Dennis Isiau. In the second match it was a battle of nerves where the unbeaten Victoria Academy had to take on a tactical Sadili Soccer Academy but it was Sadili who saw the net first. It took Antony Omondi used his swift left foot well to separate the two sides with a distance shoot that went straight into the far corner of the net thus giving Sadili the lead in the first half. Coming into the second half a controversial substitute player of Victoria academy destroyed the Sadili's organized midfield and went for an equalizer the match ended in a draw of 1-1 though it was under protest match and Sadili can be awarded the point if the organisers fail to approve the age of the substitute player who gave them the draw.

14 August 2011 NBA Star Glen Rice Visits Sadili Oval Basketball

NBA Star Glen Rice (in royal blue) with the boys after practice
Sadili Oval Basketball Academy players had a wonderful surprise when, world famous NBA basketball player, Glen Rice (rtd), landed at their court during a quiet Sunday practice session. LA Lakers supporter and Malezi School's 3rd Man, Zack Okong'o exclaimed, "Its unbelievable, who would have thought that such great people can come to see such simple people like us, now I know that anything is possible." Glen spent about 40 minutes at the simple court, training the players and giving each of them his thoughts on how to improve. Amadou Fall, V-P NBA in Africa said that he was impressed and hoped to get more linkages for the academy and players in the near future. Says Academy Director Liz Odera, "I was so excited to have such wonderful visitors, I forgot to take pictures! Seriously? I have talked about one day something like this happening years ago, and when it began to happen, I was swept up in the excitement like a kid". 
Rice played college basketball for the University of Michigan Wolverines for four seasons (1985–1989), where he became the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,442 points. He led Michigan to the 1989 NCAA Men's Division 1 Basketball Championship, scoring an NCAA-record 184 points in tournament play, a record that still stands. Rice played in 1000 games in the NBA from 1989-2004. He was a three-time All-Star who finished with career averages of 18.3 points and 4.4 rebounds in 1,000 regular-season games with the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers. He finished with 18,336 career points. Rice peaked as a member of the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996-1997 season when he was third in the league in scoring behind only Michael Jordon and Karl Malone, averaging 26.8 points per game. Rice played in 55 career playoff games, averaging 16.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. He averaged 16.3 points in three All-Star games. Rice earned an NBA championship ring as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2000 NBA Championship vs. the Indiana Pacers. 

Friday, August 19, 2011

Sadili Players perform well at ITF CAT U14 circuit, Burundi. (1st leg)

Sadili players performed well at the just concluded first leg of the ITF/CAT (Confederation of African Tennis) U14 tournament held in Bujumbura, Burundi, with 13 year old Shebani Kabura reaching the finals after beating compatriot Henry Ayesiga 3/6 7/5 6/3 in a closely contested semi-final, and Rwanda's top junior Habiyambere Ernest 3/6 6/0 6/4.  Shebani later lost in the finals to top seed Nkurunziza Saidi of Burundi 5/7 3/6. Henry was winner at the last ITF/CAT U14 event in Nairobi in April this year, had caused an earlier upset in the quater-finals, beating seed 3 Shabani Kassalo (Burundi) 3/6 7/5 6/4.  Other Sadili players, John Dennis Lutaya and Olivier Kigotho met in the first round, with John taking the match 6/1 6/0. Lutaya went on to upset seed 4 Jules Ndibwami 6/0 6/4, advancing to his first quarterfinals this year, where he was stopped by tournament winner and top seed Nkurunziza Saidi (Bur) 6/0 7/5. Newcomer David Nesbitt (USA) won his first round match against Iranyuma Jeze (Bur) 6/2 4/6 7/6(3), then lost to seed 2 Shabani Kassalo (Bur) 1/6 1/6.
In other matches involving Sadili players were as follows:
1st round
Shabani Kabura seed 2 and Henry Ayesiga seed 5 got byes
Lutaya John bt Olivier Kigotho 6/1 6/0
David Nesbitt bt Iranyuma Jeze 6/2 4/6 7/6(3)

2nd round
Lutaya bt Ndibwami Jules seed 5 6/0 6/4
Ayesiga bt Mohammed Omar 5/7 6/3 6/4
Shabani Kassalo bt Nesbitt 6/1 6/1
Kabura bt John Njau 2/6 6/3 6/4

Quarters
Nkurunziza Saidi (1) bt Lutaya 6/0 7/5
Ayesiga bt Kassalo(3) 3/6 7/5 6/4
Kabura bt Habiyambere Ernest 3/6 6/0 6/4

Semis
Kabura bt Ayesiga 3/6 7/5 6/3

Finals
Nkurunziza saidi bt Kabura 7/5 6/3

The second leg ends on Thursday 18th August 2011.
Picture: Shebani Kabura in action

19 August 2011 Malezi Are Unstoppable at Sadili Teen Basketball Event

The Sadili Teen Tournament ended today with Malezi Boys showing why they are the upwardly mobile school team to watch in Nairobi, beating Mennonites 51-39 to lift the Under 18 Boys. Malezi defended well, with Rogers Ochieng making a couple of important steals, and, by half-time they were leading 37 to 19 points. The post-players Lino Manyuel assisted by Emmanuel Atega 15 and 12 points, respectively. Assists from Point Guards Zack Okong'o made free throws to grab 7 points, and John Madol who came off the bench to score four vital points. A disappointed Mennonites Captain, Abdi Hakim Omar, said that they accepted defeat, but hoped to revenge this game again in the near future.

The Boys Under 14 was a round robin event:
Tom Munyama vs, Sadili 30 - 29
Mennonites vs. Sadili 20 - 19. Sadili came from down at half -time 14 -9, playing from defence and making use of their post player Isiah Ater, to score 12 points for the team.
Mennonites vs. Tom Mnyama 18 - 16
Tom Munyama fought hard but lost. By half-time it was 12-5 to Mennonites. Neville Ochieng of TM made 9 points for his team, but due to time, the game ended with them trailing by 2 points, giving Mennonites a win.

Under 12s:
Mennonites vs. Tom Munyama
Mennonites won 11-2, with top scorer Liban Hussein, tying with Abdi Rahman, 4 points each for their team, while Ian Otieno of TM scores 2 points for the losing team.

Overall results:
Under 18
Winner - Malezi School
R-up: Mennonites
Under 14
Winner - Mennonites
R/UP: Sadili Juniors
Under 12
Winner - Mennonites
R-up: Tom Munyama
The tournament marked the end of a one-week youth basketball camp, at Sadili Oval Sports Academy

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

15 Aug 2011 New Stars Born At The Sadili EA Junior Open

Sebastian Width (NOR)
Kenyan tennis is due to grow in leaps and bounds, judging from the results of the Boys Under 14s category, in the just concluded East Africa Junior Open which was dominated by Sadili's Kibera Tennis program. Wycliffe Okenye met Ronex Otieno in the finals after beating Moses Ateka 6/3 6/1 and Sylvester Juma 6/1 6/3, respectively in the semi-finals. Ronex won the final match 6/4, 6/0. In the boys U12s, Ricky Omondi of Victoria Tennis beat Billy Douglas (UK) 6/3 to set up a quick final against his team mate John Onyango, winning 6/2. Onyango played and won against Sebastien Width (Nor) 6/2 to reach the finals. The boys 12s doubles saw Billy Douglas/Ricky Omondi win against David Mukhwana/John Onyango 6/2.
The tournament which is sponsored by Carnivore, Sarova Hotels and Professional Tennis Registry amongst others, at Sadili Oval Sports Academy in Langata, saw Boys U16 dominated once again by Burundi players, with Ishaka Abdul grabbing a difficult win against Hashim Nintunga 4/6 7/5 10/4, but the most exciting result in this category was the upset of seed Zuberi Moussa, who lost to Kenya's own 14 year old Amon Muinde 0/6, 0/6. Amon, who later lost to finalist Hashim Nintunga 1/6 0/6 in the semi-finals, says that he is pleased with his performance, and expects to perform well next year. Martin Wambua of Mombasa Sports Club took 3rd place. It was a Kenya vs. Burundi boys U16 doubles final, with Martin Wambua/Frank Kinyanjui losing to Hashim Nintunga/Abdul Ishaka 2/6 4/6
The girls U16s saw a new star, 14 year old Aaliyah Bashir (KE), who beat top seed Katarina Karanja in a close 7/6 7/6 final, while Emily Stonewigg (UK) beat Linda Amondi of Kisumu 6/4, 6/3 in the girls U14 and Tottie Ball (UK) took on Annabel Shaw (KE) 7/6 in the girls U12. In a Kenya vs UK encounter, Annabel Shaw partnered with Linda Amondi to lift the GirlsU12 doubles, winning 6/4 against Emil Stonewigg/Tottie Ball 6/4.
Final Results were as follows:
Girls Under 8:
Winner: Lourdel Adera (KE), R-up: Faith Mueni (KE)
Boys U8:
Winner: Marcus Width (NOR), R/up: Lochie Stichbury (UK)
Girls U10:
Winner: Claire Muthoni (KE), R/up: Lourdel Adera (KE)
Boys U10:
Winner Tom Stonewigg (UK), R/up: Ben Stonewigg (UK), 3rd position: Marcus Width (NOR)
Girls U12:
Winner: Tottie Ball (UK), R/up: Anabelle Shaw (KE)
Boys U12:
Winner: Ricky Omondi (KE), R/up: John Onyango (KE)
3rd position: Billy Douglas (UK)
Boys U10/12 Doubles:
Winner: Billy Douglas/Ricky Omondi
R/up: David Mukhwana/John Onyango
Girls U14:
Winner: Emily Stonewigg (UK), R/up: Linda Amondi (KE)
Doubles Girls 12/14:
Winner: Annabelle Shaw/Linda Amondi, R/up: Emily Stonewigg/Tottie Ball
Boys U14:
Winner: Ronex Otieno, R/up: Wycliffe Okenye (KE), 3rd position: Sylvester Juma
Doubles Boys 14/16
Winner: Hashim Nintunga/Abdul Ishaka, R/up: Martin Wambua/Frank Kinyanjui
Boys U16:
Winner: Abdul Ishaka (BUR), R/up: Hashim Nintunga (BUR), 3rd position: Martin Wambua (KE)
Girls U16:
Winner: Aaliyah Bashir (KE), R/up: Katarina Karanja (KE), 3rd position: Matseka Kithinji (KE)



15 Aug 2011 Sadili Players perform well at ITF CAT U14 circuit, Burundi. (1st leg)

Shebani Kabura in action
Sadili players performed well at the just concluded first leg of the ITF/CAT (Confederation of African Tennis) U14 tournament held in Bujumbura, Burundi, with 13 year old Shebani Kabura reaching the finals after beating compatriot Henry Ayesiga 3/6 7/5 6/3 in a closely contested semi-final, and Rwanda's top junior Habiyambere Ernest 3/6 6/0 6/4.  Shebani later lost in the finals to top seed Nkurunziza Saidi of Burundi 5/7 3/6. Henry was winner at the last ITF/CAT U14 event in Nairobi in April this year, had caused an earlier upset in the quater-finals, beating seed 3 Shabani Kassalo (Burundi) 3/6 7/5 6/4.  Other Sadili players, John Dennis Lutaya and Olivier Kigotho met in the first round, with John taking the match 6/1 6/0. Lutaya went on to upset seed 4 Jules Ndibwami 6/0 6/4, advancing to his first quarterfinals this year, where he was stopped by tournament winner and top seed Nkurunziza Saidi (Bur) 6/0 7/5. Newcomer David Nesbitt (USA) won his first round match against Iranyuma Jeze (Bur) 6/2 4/6 7/6(3), then lost to seed 2 Shabani Kassalo (Bur) 1/6 1/6.
Results of matches involving Sadili players were as follows:
1st round
Shabani Kabura seed 2 and Henry Ayesiga seed 5 got byes
Lutaya John bt Olivier Kigotho 6/1 6/0
David Nesbitt bt Iranyuma Jeze 6/2 4/6 7/6(3)

2nd round
Lutaya bt Ndibwami Jules seed 5 6/0 6/4
Ayesiga bt Mohammed Omar 5/7 6/3 6/4
Shabani Kassalo bt Nesbitt 6/1 6/1
Kabura bt John Njau 2/6 6/3 6/4

Quarters
Nkurunziza Saidi (1) bt Lutaya 6/0 7/5
Ayesiga bt Kassalo(3) 3/6 7/5 6/4
Kabura bt Habiyambere Ernest 3/6 6/0 6/4

Semis
Kabura bt Ayesiga 3/6 7/5 6/3

Finals
Nkurunziza saidi bt Kabura 7/5 6/3

The second leg ends on Thursday 18th August 2011.


Sunday, August 7, 2011

7 Aug 2011 Sadili's Smashers Challenge Closes on a High Note

Karen Club Tennis Captain Lynette with team from Burundi

The Smasher’s Junior Tennis Challenge Cup ended today at Karen Country Club, with Burundi dominating the boys under 16 and under 19 categories. Ishaka Abdul beat Hashim Nintonga 6/2, 6/3 to lift the crown, while Zuberi Moussa overcame Frank Kinyanjui of Kenya 6/2, 6/3 to take third position. In the Boys Under 19, East African top junior, Amadi Kagoma (BUR) beat Tanzania’s Yassin Lila 6/2, 6/3, while Jamin Luvembe (KE) beat compatriot Richard Ooko 6/0 to take third place.
Aaliyah Bashir (KE) beat all opposition to lift the girls Under 16, blanking out Lorna Bhwejje6/0, 6/4 in the finals and Melissa Brown (TZ) 6/3, 6/0. In the Boys Under 12, Dennis Moses (ZIM) beat Aahil Saleh (KE) 6/4, 6/3 to take top spot, with Ricky Omondi (KE) taking third position after hitting Binal Jayasinghe. In the girls Under 14, upcoming Kisumu junior, Linda Janet Amondi, narrowly beating Siobhan Shaw (UK) 6/4, 7/5 in a closely contested match. Jessica Humphries (UK) was third, after losing to Siobhan Sahw 4/6, 6/4.
This tournament, which was hosted for the third year running at Karen Country Club, is a warm-up event for the East Africa Junior Open, which will take place next weekend at Sadili Oval. Both tournaments form part of the Tennis Africa Cup, and players benefit from regional ranking points. The tournament attracted 54 players and 74 entries from children from different parts of East Africa, Southern Africa and Europe.

6 August 2011 SADILI JUNIORS TAKE KAREN BY STORM

Siobhan Shaw fights to take second place
The Smashers Junior Tennis Challenge Cup, a warm up event for the East Africa Safari Junior Open, began today at the Karen Country Club in Nairobi, with 74 entries in the boys and girls, U12, U14, U16 and U19 year categories. The tournament, which was run under auspices of the Tennis Africa Cup, was attended by players of Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Norway, Russia and Sri Lanka. This is a warmup tournament for the EA Safari Junior Open to take place at Sadili Oval next weekend.

In the girls U12:
Totti Ball (UK) bet Annabel Shaw (UK) 6/2 to advance to finals, where she lost to Sneha Kotecha 0/6. Sneha had an easy run, trouncing Izzy Stichbury 6/0 in the semis.

In the Boys U12:
Top seed, Binal Jayasinghe (SRI) beat Sean Grant (UK) 6/3, while Sebastien Width (NOR) eased past Harry Stichbury 6/3 to advance to th quartrfinals. On th lower half of the draw, David Mukhwana (KE) upset second seed Billy Douglas (UK) 6/3, while Ricky Omondo of Kisumu (KE) had a close win of 6/5 against Paul Mclellan (UK) to reach the quarterfinals.
In the girls U16:
Aaliyah Bashir remains the favourite to in, trouncing Maseka Kithinji 6/1, 6/2, Lorna Bhwejje 6/0, 6/4 and Melissa Brown 6/3, 6/0. Melissa Brown beat Matseka Kithinhi 6/3, 6/1, and later lost narrowly to Lorna Bhwejje 6/3, 4/6, 0/6

In the Boys U14:
Top seed David Nesbitt (USA) beat Moses Ateka (KE) 6/0, 6/4, while Byron Omondi (KE)was made to work against Max Silvester (UK) before winning 6/3, 5/6, 10/6 n a closely contested match. He later lost to seed 4, Josephat Garo 3/6, 3/6 in the quarterfinals. Ronex Otieno beat Antony Otieno (KE) 4/6, 6/1, 10/5 to reach the quarterfinals, where he suffered shock defeat in the hands of team mate Wycliff Okenye (KE)
In the semi-finals, third seed Josephat Garo beat first seed David Nesbitt 6/1, 6/1 to set up a finals tomorrow against Wycliffe Okenye, who shocked Sylvester Juma 6/1, 5/6, 10/4.

In the Boys Under 16:
Hashim Nintunga (BUR)  was on a winning spree, Shil Kotcha (KE) in the second round 5/7, 1/6 then Robert Kasombo 6/0, 6/1 in the quarterfinals, before losing to Ihaka Abdul (BUR) 2/6, 3/6. He then beat Frank Kinyanjui to take 3rd place. Ishaka Abdul (BUR) beat Amon Nzuki 7/6, 6/3 to set up a finals against compatriot Zuberi Moussa tomorrow.

In the Girls U14
Linda Jane Amondi of Kisumu (KE) lifted the crown after a resounding win against Siobhan Shaw (UK) winning 6/4 7/5 in the finals, with Jessica Hmphries taking up third place.

In Boys U19:
Martin Wambua of Mombasa lost to Jamin Luvembe (KE) 2/6, 2/6, while Yasin Lila (TZ) beat Euan Nesbitt 6/1, 6/3 to reach the semifinals, where Yasin beat Richard Ooko (KE) 7/5, 6/0, while Amadi Kagoma beat Jamin Luvembe 6/2, 6/4 to set up an exciting finals tomorrow. Luvembe, Lila and Amadi are preparing for the school games next week.

Matches tomorrow will begin at 930 and prizgiving will be 11.30 a.m. 

Friday, August 5, 2011

4 Aug 2011 EA SAFARI JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP BY SADILI BEGINS

Lorna (Kenya), Izzy (UK), Shebani (Burundi), Byron (Kenya)

East African junior tennis stars have arrived for this year’s East Africa Safari Junior Tennis Camp, which is slotted to take place from the 1st to 14thAugust 2011. A brainchild of International Tennis Professionals worldwide and managed by Kenya’s own Sadili Oval Sports Academy since its inception 12 years ago, this camp remains the most prestigious event in the tennis calendar in the region, and continues to attract large numbers of talented junior players between 6 and 18 years, from USA, Africa and Europe, to train and also compete in the East African Junior Tennis Open that marks the end of each camp, annually. Previous coaches who have attended the camp include Coach Bill Murray (former coach of Venus and Serena Williams), and Paul Holbach, Coach of Lindsay Davenport. The camp is sponsored by Professional Tennis Registry, Sadili Oval, Tamarind, Global Sports Alliance and Sarova Hotels. The camp shall include a warmup tournament from 6-7 August to take place at Karen Country Club, and it will climax with the East Africa Junior Open, from 12 – 14 August 2011 at Sadili Oval Sports Academy.
Players who have arrived include Henry Ayesiga (ITF 14 and Under Winner in April this year), Dennis Lutaaya number 2 in the Tennis Africa Cup. From Tanzania, top junior Yasin Shabani will lead his team that includes 16 year old Melissa Brown and Ibrahim Kessi. Burundi Tennis Federation is, once again, using the camp as an opportunity to sharpen the technical skills of players, and sent under 16 players:  Abdul Ishaka, Ashim Nitunga and Zuberi Moussa, who have joined Nairobi-based compatriots and top juniors Amadi Kagoma (quarterfinalist ITF 18 and Under in February this year and finalist in the Kenya Open mixed doubles), and Shebani Kabura. Players from Mombasa include Martin Wambua,  Binal Jayasinghe, Euan Nesbitt and David Nesbitt, while young talent from Victoria Tennis Ricky Omondi,  shall ably represent Kisumu.
The event was preceded by a 2-month Star Search, that took place around the East African region, beginning in Nairobi during the Virgin Atlantic Junior Camp in April, then followed by Mombasa, and running through Kisumu, Kampala, Bujumbura, Kigali, Arusha, before completing its journey back in Nairobi in June. Products of this camp include Wimbledon junior Hassan Ndayashimiye, Maurice Wamukowa, Rahab Mbugua, Sonia Mideva, Joab Odera, Aziza Butoyi and Terry Odera (all currently in USA).