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. 

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 1^st to 14^thAugust 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).

18 July 2011 Sadili Juniors Attend NJTL Camp 2011

Henry Ayesiga and Shebani Kabura - Sadili

Sadili Oval Sports Academy was invited to send two upcoming juniors to this year's 27Th annual USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) Camp in San Francisco, USA. The 13 year-old junior players who were invited to attend included Shebani Kabura (Sadili), and Henry Ayesiga (Sadili). They are accompanied by Dr. Liz Odera (Sadili). The players join 36 other juniors aged between 12 and 14 years, selected out of 250,000 children from all over the United States, who are considered as potential leaders in their communities. Sadili received honorary NJTL Chapter recognition in 2008, for our work with underprivileged children. 

The Camp was managed by NJTL Coordinator Emily Sandor and players attended a number of leadership training opportunities in San Francisco and at Sonoma University facilities under Andrew Feldman, USTA Volunteer Development Senior manager, Barry Ford, Director of USTA's Education, Advocacy & Public Affairs Department, Dan Limbago, National Manager of NJTL, and China Fanning, USTA's NJTL Education Manager. Tennis training was very well structured, with the involvement of top professional coaches under the camp Head Coach, Tony Stingley (USTA Diversity Specialist and PTR Professional), with notable inclusion of Enrique Casados (PTR Professional and R &R Luxury Tennis Services), Jean Desdunes (former national coach - player development - women, and now USTA Youth Tennis), Dr. Liz Odera (PTR Professional International Clinician, Tester and Sadili Oval Sports Academy Director) and Donald Widener (PTR Professional and Achievable Dream Academy) in providing wide specialist knowledge towards helping the different levels of players who are attending the camp improve their game. Other Pro/Counsellors included Christina Walker (Colorado), Scarlett Lingafelt (North Carolina) and Veronica Osogo (Kenya).

Players will from tomorrow, play the competitions, where players from Sadili hope to perform well.

Sadili takes Uganda Tournament By Storm

Henry Ayesiga

Amadi Kagoma, once again dashed all hopes of a Ugandan win in the boys 18 and Under finals against favourite second seed, favourite David Oringa at the Tennis Africa Cup tournament on Centre Court in Lugogo Stadium. After an initial loss in the first set 3/6, Amadi rallied to take the second set 6/2 to set up and exciting tie break that saw him take the match at 10/8. Oringa, who will be reprsenting Uganda in the All Africa Games in September, said that he enjoyed the match, and hoped to get back to serious training as soon as school closes later this month.
In the boys U14 finals, Sadili's Henry Ayesiga was made to work hard by India's Nikhil Bonapally, before winning the match 6/4, 7/5, in what was the longest match of the tournament. Henry, who won the ITF 14 and Under in April this year, was trailing 2/5 after taking the first set, and had to raise his game considerably to catch up and take over the match. David Nesbitt was semi-finalist while Olivier Kigotho reached the third round.

Harry stichbury took the Boys U10, winning all matches 4/1, 4/2, 4/1 and 4/2 against Nikhil Sanjay, Massa Kevan, Tom Stonewigg, Rendy Mutabola and Sai Charith, respectively. His team mate Tom Stonewigg took position 3 in the same category after losing to Sai Charith 3/4.

Annual Tennis Africa Cup Uganda Tournament is a Success

David Nesbitt

13 year old Henry Ayesiga of Sadili Oval is expected to play his best by Nikhil Bonapally of India today in the Boys Under 16 finals of the 2011Tennis Africa Cup ranking tournament  in Lugogo Tennis Centre, Kampala Uganda. The ITF East Africa Under 14 champion, won quickly against Derrick Wambisha (Uganda) 4/1, 4/1 and  3^rd seed Joel Engwedu (Uganda) 6/1, 6/0. Unseeded Nikhil had already mauled down two seeds, Edward Birungi of Uganda (seed 3) 4/0, 4/0 in the quarters, and Sadili’s own player and second seed, 14 year old Dennis Lutaaya, 6/1, 7/5 in the semi-finals.

In the boys U18s, Tennis Africa Cup number 1 player and top seed, Malezi’s Amadi Kagoma (Jamin Luvembe Burundi), met his team mate left-handed 6/4, 6/2 at the semi-finals, setting up a serious match against Uganda’s top Under 18 boy, David Oringa (seed 2), who just slipped past Yasin Shabani (seed 3) of Tanzania 6/4, 7/6 (6) in a nail-biting performance that drew many tennis enthusiasts.

In the Under 10 category, Tom Stonewigg advanced to the second round, losing to Jamilo Kiregeya in a closely contested match, while compatriot, Harry Stichbury lost in the first round to finalist Francis Akankwase of Uganda Schools 1/4 3/5. In the Boys Under 14s, David Nesbitt of Sadili beat Enock Kizito 4/0, 4/0, and Joel Endwedu 4/1, 4/0 to advance to the semi-finals, losing to Job Wambisha 4/3, 4/3 in a tight match. Team mate, Olivier Kigitho beat Michael Koultek 4/2, 4/2 to reach the quarterfinals, losing 0/4, 2/4 to Archie Davis.

In the Boys U16, Euan Nesbitt easily went past Ayub Namawondo 6/1, 6/1, to set up a long and close match against team mate and second seed, losing a close Dennis Lutaaya, 4/6, 4/6, a sign of serious challenge in the coming weeks of tournament.  

Sadili team, comprising of Malezi school and rookie Banda School players descended on the inter-schools tennis championships in Lugogo Stadium Kampala this weekend seeking glory. Malezi School is using this tournament to prepare to defend their national schools title for the 12^th year running.

This premier tournament, which is a Tennis Africa Cup ranking event, is hosted annually by the Uganda Lawn Tennis Association, attracted 112 players from Uganda, as well as upcoming juniors from the neighboring countries.

For more information, please go to www.tennisafrica.info

Hassan In Close Call

Sadili's own Hassan continued to impress pundits with his performance at Junior Wimbledon, being the only wild card to go through the qualifying round successfully to enter the second week and making his first kill in the first round of the main draw, and bouncing into the second round with gusto yesterday. After grabbing a strong first set 6-4 and setting up to grab the second, Hassan had to take a rain break at 5-5 against his favoured opponent, Frederico Ferre Silva in what was a nail-biting experience for the crowd that gathered in the dreary English weather to watch an unexpectedly exciting Junior Wimbledon match.

As they returned to resume their match a couple of hours later, it appeared that the news had spread, a little (and only) African boy was playing some inspirational tennis and his match was "a must watch". The stands were full now, and the atmosphere was electric. For Hassan, this was yet another chance to play his best, and he did not let his supporters down, giving as good as he got, varying hos shots between flats, slices, drop shots and topspin, in what was considered by many, and amazingly positive change of game, from the standard fare that has become the style of players at the Grand Slam. Hassan's opponent, Frederico Ferre Silva came into this round having upset the 12th seed of the tournament, and it showed in the level of play, which Hassan made up for with "gutsyness" and sheer wit.

The second set went to Frederico, 7-5 and was followed by a closely contested final set, that saw Hassan lose the set and match at 4-6, down, but not out! This match raised a lot of interest in African Tennis and was widely covered by media. Hassan becomes the first Burundian to play a Wimbledon Junior and an inspiration to all, especially the kids of his former training academy, Sadili Oval, on the outskirts of Kibera, Africa's largest slum, who received a blow by blow account through friends and Hassan himself (afterwards). 

Hassan Progresses To 2nd Round In Wimbledon

As Wimbledon giants Tomas Berdych, Serena and Venus Williams tumbled, East Africans had reason to smile as Hassan Ndayishimiye of Burundi today successfully made it through the first round of Wimbledon, beating Mattias Sborowitz of China, 6-3, 6-4  in the junior boys draw. Hassan, who had to go through a tough qualifying draw that saw him play and win against World class juniors,
He is poised to meet Frederico Frere Silva of Portugal, who beat the 12th seed of the boys tournament to earn a second round berth.

Hassan, hails from Buyenzi, a slum in the heart of Burundi, where his father, a coach at a local tennis club, first introduced him to tennis. Hassan was at 9 years, spotted by a international professional player, Martin Dzuwa, playing in the back courts of the club, and he persuaded a local member, Kassie McIlvaine, to send him to a humble little 3-court tennis centre at the edge of Kibera, Africa's largest slum in Nairobi, Kenya called Sadili Oval Sports Academy, where he honed his skills and the watchful eye of PTR Professional Dr. Liz Odera, and finally went to formal school, for 4 years, before returning home.

Hassan received a scholarship to the ITF Centre in Pretoria, where he has been for the last two years, and which changed his tennis life immensely, as he was able to play many top level tournaments in Africa and more lately in Europe. Many of his friends and opponents alike, will remember Hassan, and how he lit up the tennis stage in Kenya, as a little boy, challenging and often winning matches against top juniors, many three to four times his age. Hassan's stab at Wimbledon is an inspiration to many children of Buyenzi, many of whom, like him, work as hitters for the rich at the local tennis club. For them now, the sky is the limit. Kassie continues to watch and care for Hassan, and she was there to watch him win his first singles round at Wimbledon. This win makes Hassan the first Burundi national in history to advance in the main draw of Wimbledon.

3 June 2011 Hassan Gets His First Chance At Wimbledon

Hassan at the AJC zonals in Kenya last year, with compatriot Amadi Kagoma of Sadili, where they took the doubles and the boys top award for Burundi

Sadili Oval former player, Hassan Ndayashimiye, will bring the little tennis programme to the forefront this month, when he plays qualifiers at the coming Wimbledon Grand Slam in England. Many Kenyans will remember how he scillintated the tennis scene between 2004 and 2007.

Hassan was born on 12th August 1994, the son of a hitter at a local tennis club in Bujumbura. Hassan started to play early in life, finding solace from the slums, where there was very little happening, and earning some little money each day from picking balls and later hitting with senior members, and taking home to his mother to help out with daily survival. Everyone knew Hassan for his spritely and sunny personality, and he quicky became loved by members and visitors alike. It was this that got him noticed by Kassie McIlvaine, who was working with CARE are Country Director. Hassan was only 8 years old at the time, and already she could see his talent, and knew that he could go far with the right help and change of circumstances. In fact, Kassie often joked with Hassan about , "When you get to Wimbledon...."
In 2003, An ITF East and Central Africa event was held in Bujumbura, and Kassie, always an avid tennis fan, went out to watch. There she met a couple of tennis players from Kenya. She admired their game, and got talking to them about places to play and study in Kenya. She finally made up her mind to bring Hassan to Dr. Liz Odera at Sadili Oval and the adjoining Malezi School, after chatting with Martin Dzuwa, who won an ITF Money Circuit later that year. Hassan's first comment when he landed in JKIA and met Dr. Liz was, "now this is my home, I am going to live here, and I am going to beat everybody in tennis, even the biggest and the best". And indeed, after a painful beginning in which he struggled to adjust his strokes, grow a little stronger (Kassie placed an order for extra milk every day), and stay committed to serious training, Hassan went on to humble many unfortunate local players from under 12 to under 16 years. Hassan stayed at Sadili for four years before returning home, performing well at an ITF U14 event, and qualifying for a place at the ITF Centre in Pretoria, where he has worked under the watchful eye of Dermott Sweeney and Margaret Owen.
His performance continued to improve, playing regional tournaments for his country (AJC, each year, with his compatriot Amadi Kagoma, who is now at Sadili Oval Talent Training Academy), and in the European Circuit. Last month, he reached a record high of 113 ITF rank, making him the two top East African to reach this level in the last 20 years, the other being Vitulli of Kenya, who is now a student at Georgia State University in the USA. Kassie's belief in Hassan has come true, and, while ITF provides for his schooling, training and tournaments, she continues to work hard to support Hassan, treating him as her own son, following his progress closely, buying him racquets, kit and sometimes arranging for his transportation when it is not available. His former coach and mentor, Liz Odera and his close friends in Sadili provide him with important moral support and advise, firmly believing that Hassan will make it in the end.

WIN - LOSS	Win	Loss
Current Year Singles	8	8
Current Year Doubles	9	7
Career Singles	59	26
Career Doubles	43	24

SINGLES RESULTS FOR HASSAN NDAYASHIMIYE (BURUNDI)
33rd Torneo Internazionale "Citta' Di Santa Croce" Mauro Sabatini				Italy
	09 May 2011 to 15 May 2011		Entry: DA	Clay (O)
64	Won first round	Matias SBOROWITZ (CHI)		6-3 6-2
32	Won second round	Patrik FABIAN (SVK)		6-3 7-6(4)
16	Lost 3rd round	Karim HOSSAM (EGY)		4-6 3-6
19th International Junior Tournament Citta' Di Prato				Italy
	03 May 2011 to 08 May 2011		Entry: DA	Clay (O)
64	B	()		BYE
32	Won second round	Tendai TAPFUMA (ZIM)		6-4 7-5
16	Won 3rd round	Jens HAUSER (SUI)		6-1 6-4
QF	Won quarterfinals	Jan ZEDNIK (CZE)		6-4 3-6 6-2
SF	Lost semifinals	Moos SPORKEN (NED)		4-6 0-6
28th International Tournament of Salsomaggiore				Italy
	25 Apr 2011 to 01 May 2011		Entry: LL	Clay (O)
64	Lost first round	Gianluigi QUINZI (ITA)		2-6 1-6
28th International Tournament of Salsomaggiore Qualifying Draw				Italy
	23 Apr 2011 to 24 Apr 2011		Entry: DA	Clay (O)
64	Won first round	Fabio MERCURI (ITA)		6-2 6-2
32	Won second round	Fedor BAEV (NOR)		7-6(1) 6-4
16	Lost third round	Pietro RONDONI (ITA)		6-7(5) 3-6
36th City of Florence International Tournament				Italy
	20 Apr 2011 to 25 Apr 2011		Entry: DA	Clay (O)
64	B	()		BYE
32	Lost second round	James Junior STORME (BEL)		3-6 6-2 5-7
34th African Closed Junior Championships				Botswana
	04 Apr 2011 to 08 Apr 2011		Entry: DA	Hard (O)
32	B	()		BYE
16	Won third round	Tuki JACOBS (NAM)		6-7(5) 6-2 6-3
QF	Lost quarterfinals	Karim HOSSAM (EGY)		2-6 4-6

29 May 2011 Sadili Oval Boys Tennis Take Top Berth in 14s

Sadili's Shebani Kabura took a break from class to grab the top boys 14 and Under position from his team mate and tournament favourite, Henry Ayesiga at this year's Wanjiku Ngaruiya Tennis Tournament, held at JD Tennis Academy, Nairobi. The match, which was one of the longest of the day, earned Shebani a win in 3 sets 2-6, 6-3, 6-1. Shebani has earlier won against another team mate and newest addition to the academy, 12 year old Olivier in two straight sets 6-2, 6-1.

31 May 2011 SADILI COMPETE IN JOHN PACKARD FAMILY CUP

The Academy participated in JOHN PACKARD FAMILY CUP  a junior soccer tournament in Kibera, featuring in three categories, Boys U-14 & 16 and Girls under 15.

The boy’s U -14 team started their campaign by thumping Red Arrows 6 -1 and tied with the slum soccer 1 – 1. In the knock out stage, Sadili boys pip (defeated) their bitter rivals Shofco Juniors on a penalty shoot out, this happened after Shofco equalized on a controversial goal leading to 1 – 1 normal time scores. In the quarter finals we lost to Makina youth who capitalized on our mistakes and the chances that we squandered. Comments from the officials and all who attended agreed that it was like a final match, as it wooed all onlookers and made the referee sweat as he officiated. This match killed the anxiety of watching the finals which turned out not to be as exciting as the Sadili boys had carried the day with the match they had displayed earlier.

The U-16 boys on the other hand had more matches to play on group stages. Playing Gyff, we won 2-0 then thrashed Lazio 3-2. We then drew 2-2 to Uweza at a ragged Toi primary pitch and on muddy Woodley ground 1-1 to Shofco Juniors. The team also lost in the quarter final to a fancied Atlas FC 4-2.

In the girls category, Sadili had a good run and looked like the tournament's favorite. In group stages, Sadili beat Kibera girl soccer 1- 0 before aging out Terror Squad 3 – 0. In the quarter finals, Sadili Queens thrashed Uweza Foundation 7 – 0. In the semi-finals, due to overconfidence and hence loss of focus, Sadili drew 0-0 to Carolina for Kibera. This led to penalties where Sadili lost 2-1 and had to play the third position. They won with ease against Hamlets 1-0 on a one sided match after Sadili captain EVELINE AICHO was awarded the “golden boot” for being the top scorer.