First Rugby School To Open In Nairobi Soon

Grenoble University Rugby Team were the first to visit and run training for aspiring young players, when the Kenya’s first Rugby School was opened today, Friday 4^th November 2011, at Sadili Oval Sports Academy in Langata. With initial support from the Embassy of France and French nationals in Kenya, the partnership is expected to develop a strong grassroots rugby that will feed into the Kenya Rugby Football Union’s national programmes.  In addition, training will be carried out under experienced coach, Jérôme Afonsi, who is based at the French School, and 6 locals will receive training to become youth coaches. All training will be offered free to those who are successful applicants. This becomes the first full-time rugby academy in Kenya. France is a strong rugby nation, and recently reached the finals of the World Cup, losing narrowly to New Zealand. 

2 November 2011 Sadili Junior, Henry Ayesiga To Play African 14 Masters

Henry takes his fitness seriously

Sadili Oval Tennis Academy's Henry AYESIGA has been selected to take part The African 14 & Under Masters, of the Confederation of African Tennis, which brings together Africa's best eight boys and eight girls tennis players in 2011, following their results in all African 14 & under circuit including the African Junior Championships 2011.

The Masters will be hosted by the Kenyan Lawn Tennis Association and will be held at the Nairobi Club from 4 to 10 December 2011.

For those who perform well, the CAT will offer further assistance by providing travel assistance in order to participate to ITF junior events Grade 4 & 5 in 2012 as follows:

Winner of the Masters 2011 – Boys & Girls: 1,000 $ Travel Assistance for each player.

2^nd ranked at the Masters 2011 – Boys & Girls: 600 $ Travel Assistance for each player.

3^rd Ranked at the Masters 2011 – Boys & Girls: 400 $ Travel Assistance for each player.

Henry Ayesiga, who is trained and sponsored by international tennis professional, Dr. Liz Odera, has been at the academy for the last four years, growing his game progressively, while schooling at Malezi School. Ayesiga played four ITF/CAT events in Kenya and Burundi, reaching finals in two and winning two legs, earning him 6th place overall. Sadili Oval Tennis Academy has produced some of East Africa's best, including Hassan Ndayashimiye (Burundi), who now trains at the ITF Centre in Pretoria and played his first Wimbledon and US Open this year and Amadi Kagoma (Burundi), currently number 2 in East Africa.

Meanwhile, Dr. Liz Odera, has just announced interviews for the next candidates to enter the high performance Sadili Oval Talent Training Academy to take place between 12th November and 18th December 2011. Candidates (boys and girls) should be between 12 and 16 years to be considered, and interested in specialising in tennis, basketball, soccer and rugby, as well as quality schooling. 

30 October 2011 Smashers Challenge Cup Ends On A High Note

Egill Sirgudson

Despite the challenge of continuous rain throughout the weekend, The 5th edition of the Smashers Challenge Cup ended today at Sadili Oval Sports Academy, with new champions in all categories, a sign of new and exciting 2012 season. 

In the Boys singles U-12, Nigel Odhiambo beat Davis Matanda and Ronald Omondi 6/2 and 6/2, respectively, to set up a final against Antony Owita, winning  6/2 to take the crown.
The boys U-14 singles saw tight matches at the group stages, with David Mukhwana, Olivier Kigotho, Ricky Omondi and Egill Sigurdson reaching the semi-finals. In the semis:  Olivier Kigotho beat Ricky Omondi narrowly  2/6,7/6 7/2, while Egill Sirgurdson won against David Mukhwana 6/3,7/5
In the finals: Egill Sirgurdson commanded the match, punishing Olivier Kigotho  6/4,6/2 to win.
Boys U-16 singles finals saw Amon Muinde  beat his twin bother,  Robert Kasombo  6/4,6/3, after an easy semi-final win against Egill Sirgudson, who retired early in their match. 
The boys under 18 singles was dominated by upcoming player Frank Kinyanjui, who beat  Dennis Gakuro  6/4,6/0 and Joseph  Ooko   6/1,6/1. Dennis Gakuro beat Joseph  Ooko  7/6, 5/7, 10/2 to take second place.
The girls Under-14/16 saw winner Melisa Brown bt Sada Nahimana  6/3,6/3 and Matseka Kithinji  6/1,6/1, while Sada Nahimana bt Matseka Kithinji 6/3,6/1 to take second place.
The Smashers challenge is a Tennis Africa Cup ranking tournament which focuses purely on players who are of intermediate level B. It is recognised by partners UNEP, Professional Tennis Registry and Global Sports Alliance.                     
Summary of results:
WINNERS
BU-12:1.Nigel Odhiambo    BU-14:1.Egill Sirgurdson
          2.Antony Owita                  2.Olivier Kigotho
          3.Davis Matanda                3.Ricky Omondi
BU-16:1.Amon Muinde         BU-18:1.Frank Kinyanjui
          2.Robert Kasombo               2.Dennis Gakuro
          3.Olivier  Kigotho                  3.Joseph Ooko
GU-14/16:1.Melisa Brown
               2.Sada Nahimana
               3.Matseka Kithinji