Impressive tennis at Sadili 8-Series Junior Tennis Challenge No. 6

Fifty-nine junior tennis players converged at Sadili Oval Sports Academy on Saturday 3^rd September 2016 for the Sadili 8-Series Junior Tennis Challenge no. 6 for U6, U8, U10 and U12. Despite the cold weather in Nairobi, high quality tennis was seen in all the matches.  

This was a free-entry tournament, open for everyone, with a majority of the participants drawn from Sadili’s Court of Dreams project. There were a total of 8 events and 12 draws played in all the 7 tennis courts at Sadili Oval. 

The tournament, run under a Sadili/International Inspiration partnership, was sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods, Sadili Oval and Comic Relief among others.

This time Sadili staff were lucky to have experienced volunteer coaches from the USA, Kent Smith and Christine Smith joining them as referees. The volunteer coaches have been spending their afternoons at the Kibera Tennis Court teaching tennis to kids.

RESULTS OF THE TOURNAMENT-03/09/2016

In the under 6 boys’ category, seed Fred Ramsey carried the day after beating Eugene Michael in the finals, with Naomi Wanjiku trouncing Lorraine Adongo to win the under 6 girls’ singles.

Talented Angela Alwanga for the third time in a row proved to be the strongest in the under 8 girls’ category beating Michelle Atieno in the finals, while Stephen Kigunzi beat Brian Odhiambo to claim victory in the boys’ under 8 category.

In the under 10 boys’ category, Patel Ambecha emerged winner after beating Samuel Otieno in the finals, while Emi Imani dominated the under 10 girls’ category defeating Dorothy Achieng in the finals.

Edwin Ochieng lifted the under 12 boys’ category after a tough battle with rival seed Edward Odogo in the finals, while Fanice Asengo Thrashed Terryann Njeri in the Girl’s Under 12.

To view the detailed final results please click on the link below: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/winners.aspx?id=CEC6F1BB-C0B2-4F60-A25D-B3A2C1C087FC

The day was then topped off with lunch for all the kids and some refreshing beverages. 

Tournament organisers who are also Sadili staff were happy with the successful weekend and are now looking forward to the next tournament: Sadili 8-Series Junior Tennis Challenge No. 7 in early October. 

The Sadili 8- Series Junior Tennis Challenge is a tournament for U6, U8, U10 & U12 kids (all levels), with Tennis Africa Cup ranking. It is intended to encourage beginner-intermediate juniors to play competitions.

We’re grateful to everyone who helped to make this day a success, and especially to our volunteer coaches who came all the way from the United States to train tennis to kids and support our activities.

Smashers Challenge Cup Displays Excellent Sportsmanship

Wycliffe Okenye

The Smashers Challenge Cup (4th edition), presented by gold sponsor, RentWorks, ended on a high note on Sunday 14^th August 2016 at Karen Country Club with 31 junior players braving the cold to showcase their talents in the game. The juniors came from all over Nairobi, Kisumu and Arusha. One of the highlights of the tournament was the match between Wycliffe Okenye and Ricky Omondi in the boys under 18/21 finals.The two gave a magnificent display of tennis in a match that kept spectators glued to their seats. It ended by Wycliffe thrashing Ricky 6/4, 6/2.

Kigamwa(right) receives a trophy from Ms.Moraa of RentWorks

Indefatigable player Changi Kigamwa of Karen Country Club battled his way to the semi finals but was stunned by Ricky Omondi 1/6, 2/6. Despite Kigamwa's loss to his opponent, Karen Country Club had a reason to celebrate as this was the first time since 2010 that a seed from the club had reached semi-finals in the under 18/21 category.

Shana Mao

In the girls under 12 category, Angela fought her way to the finals where she finally lost to  Nasombi Khangati 4/1. In the girls  U14/U16, talented Shana Mao had an easy win against her opponents and went her ahead to beat runner-up Julia Khangati 6/1 in the finals. In the boys under 12, Edward Odogo played well but finally lost to Moses Otieno in the finals. In the boys under 14 finals, Evans Aminga thrashed Evans Otieno 4/2. In the boys under 16, runner-up John Onyango put up a good fight throughout the match but finally lost (narrowly) to Charles Ochieng 6/7.

The final results were as follows:

Girls

12 & Under

Winner: Nasombi Khangati

R/Up: Angela Aluanga

3^rd: Scovia Nafula

4^th Nduta Kariuki

14/16

Winner: Shana Mao

R/Up: Julia Khangati

3^rd: Shamiso Pemiwa

4^th: Shiku Njuguna

Boys

12 &Under

Winner: Moses Otieno

R/Up: Edward Odogo

3^rd: Ibrahim Oburu

4^th: Henry Ochieng

14 & Under

Winner: Evans Aminga

R/Up: Evans Otieno

3^rd: Jerome Kitonga

16 & Under

Winner: Charles Ochieng

R/Up: John Onyango

3^rd: Chris Kagunda

4^th: Jerome Kitonga

Boys U18/U21

Winner: Wycliffe Okenye

R/Up: Ricky Omondi

3^rd: Billy Jagero

4^th: Changi Kigamwa.

The Smashers Challenge series forms part of a Level B Tennis Africa Cup ranking tournaments, for players between intermediate to advanced level. Winners from the Masters qualify for the World Finals of the Champions Bowl (http://www.champ-bowl.com), a worldwide tournament circuit, to be held in Spain later this year. This particular edition was sponsored by RentWorks and Wilson Sporting Goods. RentWorks is a lease company that provides rental finance solutions to a global customer base comprising large and medium size organizations.

17th Annual East Africa Safari Junior Tennis Camp Kicks off at Sadili Oval Sports Academy

NAIROBI, August 8, 2016- The 17^th edition of the annual East African Safari Junior Tennis Camp kicks off today at Sadili Oval Sports Centre in Lang’ata, Nairobi, with a select 20 talented children and youth aged between 6 and 18 years from the entire East African region including Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The young stars have assembled at the Sports Centre for training and competition that is expected to run until 20^th August 2016.

The Camp this year is proud to host guest coach Mr. Katsuya Otsu, a graduate of the world famous Bolletieri Tennis Academy, professor at the Tokai University’s Department of Sport & Leisure Management and member of the Japan Olympic Academy (JOA). He will spend the second week of the camp working along Kenya’s Dr. Liz Odera and her team. A Tester and Clinician, Liz is currently a member of the PTR International Committee, representing Africa and Provider for Kenya. She was celebrated as a ChangeMakeHer, one of the world’s most influential and inspiring women of 2011 (Ashoka ChangeMaker). Liz is currently taking sport and schooling to world class level by providing a platform for individual talented African athletes to live their dreams, something never before attempted successfully in the region. 

The Safari Junior Tennis Camp also marks the media launch of “Court of Dreams”, a program in which Sadili’s team of coaches, communicators and social educators are engaging a first batch of 640 children in the Kibera Slums in a new partnership with International Inspiration and Comic Relief that will see 2100 children learn tennis, and improve schooling through better hygiene skills. Sadili will also reopen the newly revamped “Court of Dreams” facility at the academy, a facility originally jointly built and named by re-knowned Coach and co-Director of Evolve 9 and Serious Kids Stuff Foundation, Ronald Pothuizen.

Media, friends and partners are invited to visit the camp, which will include the following activities:

8–12 August 2016: Camp Week 1:

9.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. at Sadili Oval Sports Academy

3.00 p.m – 6.00 p.m. at Kibera Tennis & Sport Court in Katwekera, Kibera

Thursday 11 August 2016: 3.00 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.: media and partner visit to Court of Dreams project in Kibera, play paddle tennis at the Court of Dreams at Sadili, followed by refreshments at Sadili Oval.

13–14 August 2016: Smashers Challenge Cup No. 4 Tournament at Karen Country Club, sponsored by RentWorks, for players in U12, U14, U16, U18 and U21. This is a Tennis Africa Cup ranking tournament as well as a qualifying Masters event towards the Champions Bowl Finals (Spain, Oct 2016).

13^th August tournament runs from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

14^th August: Finals at 9.00 a.m. and Prize-giving at 11.00 a.m. followed by refreshments.

15–19 August 2016: Camp Week 2:

3.00 p.m. at Sadili Oval Sports Academy,

3.00 p.m – 6.00 p.m. at Kibera Tennis & Sport Court in Katwekera, Kibera

Tuesday 16^th August: 3.00 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.: media and partner visit to Court of Dreams project in Kibera, play paddle tennis at Court of Dreams at Sadili, followed by refreshments at Sadili Oval.

19–21 August 2016: East Africa Junior Tennis Open at Sadili Oval Sports Academy sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods. Singles and doubles tournament for U6 to U18 boys and girls, this event will bring together more than 150 kids competing at various levels.  Prize-giving will take place on Saturday 20 August at 2.00 p.m., followed by refreshments.

Great Turn Out, Great Fun and Great Tennis at Sadili 8-Series Junior Tennis Challenge

There was a fabulous turn out (43 boys and girls) for Sadili 8-Series Junior Tennis Challenge for U6, U8, U10 and U12 on Saturday, 9^th July 2016. The weather thankfully stayed dry and the kids put on a brilliant display of tennis and sportsmanship at the event. The tournament, run under a Sadili/International Inspiration partnership, was sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods, Sadili Oval, and Comic Relief among others.

Sadili Staff did great work organising the kids into teams and shortly after their registration, matches got swiftly underway. There were a total of 64 matches played in all the 7 tennis courts at Sadili Oval. 

In the under 6 boys’ category, Fred Ramsey carried the day after beating Fred Okombo in the finals, with Sheila Awuor trouncing Elizabeth Mbithe to win the under 6 girls’ singles.

Angela Alwanga yet again proved to be the strongest in the under 8 girls’ category beating Miriam Mutheu in the finals. 

In the under 10 boys’ category, Samson Mike emerged winner after beating Wycliffe Otieno in the finals, while Scovia Nafula claimed victory in the under 10 girls’ category after defeating Joyce Kaure in the finals.

Henry Ochieng lifted the under 12 boys’ category after a tough battle with rival Edward Odongo in the finals.

To view the detailed final results please click on the link: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/winners.aspx?id=22A63DBA-83A9-4A24-97EF-0FE9BAABA063

 

After the games the kids were treated to delicious lunch and beverages. 

The Sadili 8- Series Junior Tennis Challenge is a tournament for U6, U8, U10 & U12 kids (all levels), with Tennis Africa Cup ranking. It is great for kids who want to test their skills, get out on the court and make new friends along the way. It was started by Tennis professional, Dr. Liz Odera.

Thanks to everyone who took part in the tournament.  Thanks also to those who helped organise and run the event – Sadili Oval Staff. See you all at the next tournament!