Interviewing Kenya Team Olivier Kigotho

14 year old Olivier Kigotho has made the national team, barely one year after joining Sadili Talent Training Academy in Langata, Nairobi. Olivier will be representing Kenya at the ITF/CAT U14 Circuit in Burundi and Rwanda from the 6th - 17th August 2012. I caught up with Olivier at Sadili as he stepped off the court following a tough evening training session. For a boy so young, he exuded quiet confidence and smiled a lot, so I was able to plunge quickly into my interview:

J - Why did you switch from playing basketball to playing tennis competitively?

O – Well I had initially played tennis and then started playing basketball because it was closer to home, while I was in school in the USA. Then when I came back to Kenya, I started playing tennis again, because I liked it better.

J - How does it feel to be playing for the national team?

O – It feels really good, like my hard work is playing off.

J - When you started playing tennis again was it your goal to be on the National Team?

O - Not exactly but I didn’t think that I would be on the national team so quickly.

J - Do you have any short or long term goals for tennis?

O- For the short term I want to play well for the national team, and get into my academy team too (which is actually quite hard) and just keep playing well. And long term, I guess, get a tennis scholarship for a college.

J - in the USA? Europe?

O- I'm not really sure, still thinking about it! (smile)

J- Is there any area that you feel you improved on the last year? Or things you would like to see improve?

O - Im not really sure... (shrug)

J- So your are going to Burundi and Rwanda, how do you feel about competing there?

O - Quite nervous, actually

J - About anything in particular or just in general?

O - In general, but I also know most of the players, and its going to be tough.

J - Do you have any particular goals for these competitions? Winning the whole thing? Making it to quarters?

O - Not really just play my best I guess....I just want to stay focused on that, so I train hard

J-  What does it feel like being able to travel to other countries doing something you love?

O – It feels good! I have been exposed to different kinds of places and players. I think its the most important part. I have learned a lot.

J- Which are some of the countries you have played tennis competitions in since you joined Sadili?

O - the UK, Uganda, Burundi, Rawanda, and, well Kenya...

J- Is there a country that you would love to visit for a competition?

O- Yes! Spain, I've heard it has good players and its very nice place! (laugh)

Sadili's Jamin Luvembe Makes A First to Davis Cup From Kibera

Jamin Luvembe becomes the first tennis player from Kibera, Africa's largest slum, to play Davis Cup when he joins the Kenya team in Tunisia on the 1st of July 2012. 

Jamin was called in at the last minute to play trials at Nairobi Club, started out as the underdog, but rallied to win all his group-stage matches, qualifying for the semifinals as a firm candidate, and ending up as the runnerup, and 4th player for the team after Ibrahim Kibet. Other other two positions were not contested for, as KLTA had already selected  Faiz and Ishmael Changawa of Mombasa. Ishmael is currently the best ranked junior and has posted impressive results in ITF tournaments. Jamin, who is a student at Malezi School, started playing tennis at 8 years, when his brother, Francis Isiaho, introduced him to Sadili Oval Sports Academy. His sponsor and coach, Dr. Liz Odera says "this is Jamin's dream starting to come true. He has proved that committment and hard work pays. He still has a lot to do to become the player we hope to see, but this is a great step ib gaining experience, and we are very proud of him". Jamin has been put on standby, as funds are awaited for from the government, according to KLTA, so Kenyans may have to wait a little longer if he doesn't travel. Kenya will be play against some great teams, including Ghana, Nigeria, Tunisia, Benin, Zimbabwe, and Cote d'Ivoire. Kenya has barely managed to stay in Group 3 and it is hoped that, by exposing juniors like Ishmael and Jamin, the experience will pay off in a few years.

Summer Holiday Camps 2012

All camps include free supervised art, reading and lifeskills. Scholarships available for all sports, apply early.

TENNIS

NAIROBI TENNIS CAMPS - Sadili Oval Tennis Academy

Tiny Tots: 9.00 – 9.45 a.m., Beginners: 10.00 – 11.00 a.m., Intermediate: 11.30 a.m – 12.30 p.m., Junior Squad: 2.00 p.m., Performance Squad: 3.00 – 4.30 p.m. Kshs. 3,500 per week

Week 1: 9 – 13 July 2012

Week 2: 16 – 20 July 2012

Week 3: 23 – 27 July 2012

Week 4: 20 – 24 August 2012

8-SERIES JUNIOR TENNIS TOURNAMENT number 4: 7 July

A Level D ranking Tennis Africa event for beginner-intermediate players in the Under 6, Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, Over 14 year categories, boys and girls will be held at Sadili Oval.

Junior Training at Karen Country Club: 16 – 20 July (members only). 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.: 5-10 years – Tennis, 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.: 11 – 16 years – Tennis, 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.: 11 – 16 years – Soccer, 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.: 5-10 years – Soccer. Kshs. 3,000 per sport per week.

Junior Training at Nyali Golf and Country Club Mombasa: 16 – 20 July 2012 (half-day camps): 4-7yrs: 9:00 am to 10:30 am. Ages 8-14: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Charge:  Kshs. 3000 per person.

EA SAFARI JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP: 6 – 17 August 2012

East Africa’s No. 1 Camp for 6 years to 18 years & includes high performance training for tournament players. Recognised by partners UNEP, Global Sports Alliance and Professional Tennis Registry.
Top Coaches from Africa, Europe and USA will attend. Entry fee: Kshs. 18000 or US$ 320 (non residents) which includes refreshments and lunch. Full boarding facility available at Kshs. 25,500 or US$ 320 (non-residents). This charge covers full board (all meals) from 6th – 17^th August 2012. Scholarships available. Entries close on 30^th June.

SMASHERS CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT NO. 3: 11 - 12 August 2012

A Level B ranking Tennis Africa event for intermediate-advanced players in the  U12, U14, U16, U18 & U21 categories, boys and girls will be held at Karen Country Club and Sadili Oval.

EAST AFRICA JUNIOR TENNIS OPEN 2011 15 – 17 August 2012
A Tennis Africa Tournament for intermediate and advanced players in the Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 categories, boys and girls.

SWIMMING

BARRACUDA SWIMMING CAMP – SADILI OVAL

Week 1: 9 – 13 July 2012

Week 2: 16 – 20 July 2012

Week 3: 23 – 27 July 2012

Week 4: 20 – 24 August 2012

Weekdays from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Introduction to water skills, Fundamental Aquatic Skills, Stroke Development, Stroke Improvement, Stroke Refinement. Kshs. 3,500 per person per week.

BARRACUDA PRACTICE GALA– 24^th August 2012 afternoon. Lots of prizes!

BASKETBALL

ANNUAL EA BASKETBALL FUTURE CHAMPS SUMMER CAMP:

13 -16 August 2012

Top USA, UK and Africa basketball coaches will be running this camp. Ages: 9 to 21 years. Entry fee: Kshs. 18,000 or US$ 320 (non residents) which includes refreshments and lunch. Full boarding facility available at Kshs. 25,500 or US$ 345 (non-residents) for the players. This charge covers full board (including breakfast and supper) from 12^th - 16^th August 2012. Scholarships available. Recruiters have been invited to attend. Entries close on 30^th July.

12^th August: Arrival and registration

13^th and 14^th August: Youth basketball clinics.

15^th August: Basketball Coaches Conference

Morning: coaches to discuss techniques and new trends, share experiences, with on-court presentations. Networking luncheon. Afternoon: Junior basketball clinic.

16^th August: 3 on 3, and All-Star Game, Awards.

17^th August: Coach’s visit to Nairobi National Park, Elephant Park, Giraffe Manor and Bomas of Kenya.

AEROBICS/FITNESS/GYM/DANCE

AEROBICS, GYM, DANCE – SADILI OVAL

Weekdays from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon Kshs. 3,500 per week.

You’ll learn power walking, kids-step, aero-step, cardio-funk, ndombolo systems and others. Circuit gym for strength building and conditioning.

Week 1: 9 – 13 July 2012

Week 2: 16 – 20 July 2012

Week 3: 23 – 27 July 2012

Week 4: 20 – 24 August 2012

SOCCER/RUGBY

ANNUAL EA SOCCER FUTURE CHAMPS SUMMER CAMP

30^th July to 3^rd August 2012

Under 7: 9.30 a.m., U11: 10.30 a.m., U15: 11.30 a.m., U17: 2.00 p.m., Performance Squad: 3.00 – 4.30 p.m.

Qualified FIFA – trained coaches in attendance. Meet some of Kenya’s stars too! Kshs. 3,500 per week.

ANNUAL EA RUGBY FUTURE CHAMPS SUMMER CAMP

27^th to 31^st August 2012

Under 7: 9.30 a.m., u12: 10.30 a.m., U14: 11.30 a.m., U17: 2.00 p.m., Performance Squad: 3.00 – 4.30 p.m. Train with the best and meet some of Kenya Rugby stars! Kshs. 3,500 per week.

NON-SPORT ACTIVITIES

FRENCH/PORTUGUESE/ENGLISH/SWAHILI CLASSES: July and August Kshs. 3000 per week. Daily from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. You learn to use the everyday spoken language. Good for those who hope to visit and play your chosen sport. Scholarships available.

SUBJECT TUITION: All subjects, experienced teachers from top schools. Charges: 1-2 subjects 3,500 per week; 3-4 subjects 4,500 per week.

COMPUTER CLASSES: Kshs. 2,500 per week

Community library is open all summer at Sadili, enjoy it!

Music classes: learn to play an instrument!

Classes are available at Sadili for most instruments, run by excellent teachers.

FULL BOARD ACCOMMODATION

MALEZI SCHOOL: Charge: Kshs. 1850 per day, Kshs. 12,500 per week.  GONA SUITES: Charge: 4,000 a day or Kshs. 42,000 for two weeks.

HOLIDAY SPORTS CAMPS – SADILI OVAL SPORTS ACADEMY

Off Kitengela Road, next to Malezi School, Langata

P. O. Box 8477, Nairobi 00100

Mobile: 0721-556062/0727-843864

askus@sadili.com ; www.sadili.com

Top Seed Downed As Kenyan Proceeds To Semis

Alosha Chikanda

Top seed Mariam Mujawimana (Burundi) today stumbled, losing her lead to unseeded Kenyan Cherryl Fuasso 4/6 6/1 2/6 today, at Sadili Oval's Court 1, opening the quarter to an exciting Kenya-Mauritius semi-final match tomorrow between Cherryl and Chan Tam Neng Mael in the Girls Under 14s, at the 2nd leg of the ITF/CAT East Africa tournament, Cherryl becomes the first Kenyan to reach a semi-finals in the tournament, 1st leg runner-up, Rotimi Adetunji (Congo B), has reached the semi-finals, and awaits the result of a tough quarterfinal battle between unseeded Tonia Kubai (Kenya) and 1st leg winner, Amelie Boy (Mauritius),

In the Boys Under 14s, seeds continued as expected, with Burundi taking three out of the 4 semi-final spots. Second seed and 1st leg champion, Shebani Kabura, easily dipatched of Chikanda Alosha (Zimbabwe) 6/1 6/4; 3rd seed Shabani Kassalo and first seed Saidi Nkurunziza were pushed, but did not collapse, winning against Jules Ndimwami (Rwanda) 7/5 6/2 and Ntaba Rajabu (Burundi) 6/3 6/4, respectively. Talented 4th seed Erneste Habyambere (Rwanda) took the final semi-final berth, winning in a tough encounter against favoured Dean Dulthummon (Mauritius) 6/1 6/7 (6) 7/6 (1).

In the boys Under 12, Damien Laporte (Seychelles) made short work of Ryan Randiek 6/1 6/1, setting up an interesting semi-final match against Dennis Moses (Zimbabwe), who won easily against Albert Njogu (Kenya) 6/1 6/0, Second seed Albert Mugisha (Burundi) also made short work of Shaun Andriamaro (Seychelles) 6/0 6/0 to reach the semi-finals, awaiting the results of the quarterfinal match between Kenyans Keean Shah and Geoffrey Ogega.

The Girls under 12s, have seeds unbeaten, with top seed Aisha Niyonkuru (Burundi) dispatching with Esther Wahome (Kenya) 6/1 6/2, and 2nd seed Tayo Adetunji (Congo B) sweeping away 4th seed Mwamini Bitungwa (Burundi) 6/0 6/0, to set up yet another exciting finals. tomorrow.