INTERNATIONAL 11 Dec 2011 SPORTS AND DANCE CAMPS BEGIN AT SADILI

William Moura with Babu

Dr. Liz in session

Sadili Oval Sports Academy, in Langata is the center of attraction for the next ten days, as star-studded professionals work with locals to develop some of the region’s best talent in Football, Dabce and Tennis.

Bill Murray, former coach of Venus and Serena Williams and 19 national junior stars is in the country to work with Dr. Liz Odera training 34 select upcoming juniors from the region. The players, aged between 10 and 15 years, have ben selected from 77 applicants and will receive video analysis, power production, improvement of stroke production and tactical training at an international performance level. Selected players are from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Norway, UK and Scotland.

Former Brazil international player turned coach, William Moura, is also at Sadili Oval, courtesy of the Embassy of Brazil, to run a soccer training camp that began on Monday 5th December 2011. The camp, which is part of an ongoing partnership between the Embassy of Brazil and Sadili Oval Soccer Academy, will see a talented squad of 80 boys and girls, mainly from poor communities of Kibera and Korogocho, receive expert training. 

Sadili will also be introducing Dance as a new discipline, with the arrival of reknowned dancer and choreographer, Ofelia de la Mola of New York -based Dancescores www.danscores.com, where she is the Artistic Director, will run the Dance Camp together with her partner, Rebecca Woods. She is expected to work with 62 local girls and boys, and prepare them for a dance show that will take place on 19th December at Sadili. She will also run two dance workshops at Riverside Katwekera Village in Kibera.

Bill Murray interview with Press

Ofelia was born and raised in Mexico. She moved to NY in 1995 thanks to a scholarship from Mexican Foundation FONCA. She received her MFA in choreography and BFA in Dance Performance from Purchase College, State University of New York. Ofelia established the NY based danscores by Ofelia Loret de Mola in 2003. Since then, the company has taught a two-week workshop in Kosovo and has performed in Spain; The states of Yucatan, Campeche and Oaxaca in Mexico, and in New York at venues such as Joyce SoHo/Celebrate Mexico Now Festival, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dancenOw/NYC at DTW, WAXworks at University Settlement, Wave Rising Series, the d.u.m.b.o. Dance Festival, The COOL NY Festival, The Puffin Room, and HERE Arts Center. She has choreographed for Theater under the Direction of Dean Irby, and was a speaker at Hunter College during their Exploring Opportunities. In 2006, internationally known concert pianist Tian Jiang commissioned her to create a work for touring. She is Co-Founder and Curator of the annual Reverb Dance Festival, which takes place at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre. Her work has been reviewed by the New York Times, Gay City News, the Village Voice, CNN International, Telemundo, Fieldwork by Eva Yaa Asantewaa, El Milenio, and Por Esto! Mexico. As a member of ArtistAccess, she has performed at the Woodhull Medical Center and has been featured in CNN International, Dance Magazine, The Daily News, Telemundo, and El Diario, La Prensa. She was invited to represent Hispanic Artists in a publicity campaign for Infiniti Cars that took place in Miami, Los Angeles and New York. As a performer she has had the pleasure of working with Aszure and Artists, Julian Barnett, Stefanie Nelson and the Wendy Osserman Dance Company.

Rebecca and Ofelia in warmup session

Rebecca Woods received her training from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and Marymount Manhattan College where she graduated with a degree in Dance and Communications. She has performed with the Juilliard Opera Company, LKB Dance, Chasla, Stephen Kaplowitz, Ali Kenner dance, and Eidolon Ballet in Concert. She is working with Adele Myers, and is grateful for Ofelia's friendship. Rebecca teaches Kundalini yoga throughout the city. She is on faculty at Ballet Academy East.

Watch Dance For Life come alive...

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

23 Oct 2011 Kigotho, Kinyanjui Show Their Talent

Frank Kinyanjui

Frank Kinyanjui, showed signs of things to come when he beat Kevin Mwangi 2/4, 4/0/ (10-8) to reach the semi-finals of the boys U16 in his first tournament in 4 years. Frank, who was busy with school, has made a come-back to tennis and joined the Sadili Talent Training Academy. His team mate and one of Kenya's fastest developing juniors, Olivier Kigotho, showed that he was not going to be cowed, also reaching the semi-finals of the Boys Under 14 after beating Dennis Moses 1/4, 5/4 (6) 11-9 and Emile Teja 4/1, 4/1, before losing in a tie-break to Petty Andanda 1/4, 4/1 (10/4). In the boys U18, Second seed Jamin Luvembe easily beat Peter Ndungu 4/0, 4/1 to reach the semi-finals, where he met and lost to surprisingly unseeded team mate, Yasin Lila 2/4, 4/1 (10-8). Yasin went on to win the category, dispensing with Allan Atole 4/1, 4/0

Yasin Lila

22 October 2011 RVA Meet Sadili "C" Strike Team

Rift Valley Academy was once again, hosted at Sadili Oval Sports Academy on Saturday 22nd October, a fresh crisp morning, with the courts bsuy with eager boys and one girl (Kira) getting ready for both singles and doubles. This time round Sadili fielded their C team, which is composed of upcoming Under  11, 12 and 13 year old talented boys from the Kibera slums. The teams were well-matched, though Sadili had the edge, just barely taking a couple of matches more than RVA, while dominating the singles.

 Results were as follows:

Doubles:

Wycliffe/Ronex (Sadili) vs. Andrew/Jitton 2/4

 Byron/Victor (Sadili) vs. James Hamut (RVA) 4/2

Davis/Antony (Sadili) vs. Ryan/Andrew (RVA) 1/4

David/Sylvester (Sadili) vs. Mathew/Sky (RVA) 4/3

Wycliffe/Ronex (Sadili) vs. Luke/James (RVA) 4/3

Ronex/Antony (Sadili) vs. Mathew/Ryan (RVA) 4/2

Victor/Wycliffe (sadili) vs. Hamut/James (RVA) 4/0

Singles:

Ateka (Sadili) vs. Kira (RVA) 4/3

Ronex (Sadili ) vs. Luke (RVA) 4/2

David (Sadili) vs. Luke (RVA) 4/0

Sylvester (Sadili) vs. Kira (RVA) 4/2

Victor (Sadili) vs. Jihoon (RVA) 4/3

Byron (Sadili) vs. Kira (RVA) 4/2

Overal Wins: Sadili 11 RVA 2

Congratulations to both teams for the hard work and for staying positive and supportive all morning!

25th September 2011 Strathmore Invitational Basketball Tournament

Venue: Strathmore University Grounds

Teams: 1. Malezi 2. Strathmore University A 3. Usiu 4. Strathmore B 5. Multimedia University 6. Kenyatta University 7. Daystar University 8. Kemu  9. Cuea 10. Kenya Polytechnic University.

Format: Two Pools A&B

                -Top Two Teams Plays In The Semis

                -Winners Of The Semis Plys In The Finals.

Results                 1. Malezi    Vs   Kenya Poly

                   17/19-36               19/14-23

                  2.Malezi    Vs    Strathmore A

                       09/07-16               21/15-36

                  3.Usiu          Vs      Malezi

                     15/10-25                06/10-16

                  4.Dayster    Vs    Malezi

                        15/09-24              14/15-29

                 5.Malezi       Vs    Kemu

                    21/14-35                 09/10-19

Strathmore And Usiu Proeded To The Finals, As The Top Two From Our Pools.

17 September 2011 Malezi Win The Sprite 3 On 3

Venue: Nyayo Stadium

Teams: 1.NIS 2.Malezi.3.Aquinas 4.Laiser B  5. Lenana A 6. Laiser A 7. Lenana B 8. Moi Forces Academy

Format: Two Pools A&B. Top Two Teams, Plays In The Semis, Winners Of Semi Plays In The Finals

Results:1. Malezi -12  Aquinas -06

             2. Laiser  B-07  Malezi  -13

             3. Lenana-A-05 Malezi-17

   Semi: Malezi-15 Nis   07

   Finals: Malezi -11  Aquinas-05

Awards: A Set Of Uniform And 3 Sprite Balls 

16 Oct 2011 Malezi and Loreto Top In Schools Event

Amadi Kagoma, Yasin Lila Shabani, Jamin Luvembe and Dennis Lutaaya overcame Malezi School “B” of Henry Ayesige, Frank Kinyanjui, Shabani Kabura and Dennis Gakuru grabbing the boys’ category while girls’ honours went to Loreto Valley Road School ‘A’ Team comprising Paige Mbugua, Nicole Wandera and Haiyat Shariff.

Dennis Lutaaya

The winning boys teams paraded experienced players who are some of the best in the region.

They include Kagoma, Ayesige, Kabura and Mbugua who are all common figures in regional tennis tournaments. Malezi School, who is trained by the top regional tennis centre, Sadili Oval Sports Academy in Nairobi, have been national KSSA champions for the last 11 years, defending it again in August 2011.

Malezi ‘A’ dominated the group stage, winning all their matches to top their pool with maximum eight points. They beat Oshwal ‘B’, Narok and Lenana with uniform 6-0 scored in first singles round and repeated the same in round two, beating the same opponents with yet another 3-0 point scores. Malezi “B’ lost only one point to top their group and make the finals. Narok Secomdary were third.

The KLTA said they are making efforts to ensure that the championships run annually and involve more schools across the country as a way to spread the sport nationally.

The KLTA officer Neil Mwombe said: "This is the only way to ensure that tennis stands to grow and spread." Participants lauded both the KLTA and Safaricom for organising the event, saying the tournament was important as it comes at a time when there is not much happening in the tennis calendar.

2 OCTOBER 2011: SMASHERS CHALLENGE NO.4

Sneha Kotecha

The 4^th Smashers Tennis Challenge ended today at Sadili Oval Sports Academy, with newcomer, 9 year old Saada Naeemah (Burundi) reaching the finals in the girls under 12, where she finally lost to Sneha Kotecha (Kenya) 1/6 . In the boys U12, Antony Owita (Kenya) lost to Davis Matanda (Kenya) 4/6 to take second place, Lusweti Kiai (Kenya) was third.

In the boys Under 16, Shabani Kabura (Burundi) beat Shiel Kotecha (Kenya) 5/6,7/6,10/4, while Henry Ayesiga (Uganda) beat John Lutaya (Uganda) in the semis  6/1,6/7,10/4 to set an exciting finals that saw Ayesiga triumph over Kabura 1/6,6/3,10/8. In the boys Under 14, Ricky  Omondi (Kenya) beat Ronex Otieno (Kenya) 6/7,6/2,10/5 in yet another tight match that had spectators glued to their seats. Olivier Kigotho was third. The boys Under 18 saw left-hander Jamin Luvembe (Kenya) play a close match against Richard Ooko (Kenya), winning 6/2,7/6,(3).  In the girls Under 16, Sneha Kotecha surprised Melissa Brown (Tanzania), 6/4, 6/2 before losing to Lorna Mbwejje (Kenya) 2/6,2/6 to take second place.

Other results were as follows:

BU-12

Charles Ochieng v/s Davis Matanda 1/6

Charles Ochieng v/s  Antony Owita  1/6

Ronald Omondi v/s  Davis Matanda  1/6

Ronald Omondi  v/s Lusueti Kiai   0/6

Antony Owita  v/s Davis Matanda 4/6

Antony Owita  v/s Lusueti Kiai  3/6

GU-12

Carmine Mindi v/s Sneha Kotecha 6/0

Elizabeth Owuor v/s Carmine Mindi 3/6

BU-14

Ricky Omondi v/s David Mukhwana 6/3,6/4

GU-16

Sneha Kotecha v/s Melisa Brown 6/4, 6/2

Sneha Kotecha v/s Lorna Mbwejje 2/6,2/6

BU-16

Wycliffe Okenye v/s Frank Kinyanjui 3/6,6/4,10/6

Henry Ayesiga v/s Frank Kinyanjui 6/1,6/1

Henry Ayesiga v/s Dennis Gakuro 6/0,6/0

Sheil Kotecha v/s Robert Kasombo 6/3,6/1

Sheil Kotecha v/s John Lutaya 6/6,3/7,6/6,4/7

BU-18

Jamin Luvembe v/s Richard Ooko 6/2,7/6,(3)

                                

                                                SEMIS

BU-16

Shabani Kabura beat Shiel Kotecha 5/6,7/6,10/4

Henry Ayesiga beat John Lutaya 6/1,6/7,10/4

BU-14

Ricky Omondi beat  Olivier Kigotho 8/10,6/3,10/5

Ronex Otieno  W/O Josephat Garo

                                         FINALS

GU-12

Sneha Kotecha beat Sada Naeemah 6/1

              

GU14/16  RoundRobin

Lorna Bweje beat  Matseka Kithinji 6/1,6/1

Lorna Bweje beat Sada Naeemah 6/1,6/1

Sneha Kotecha beat Matseka Kithinji 6/3,6/1

Lorna Bweje beat Melisa Brown 6/1,6/3

Melisa Brown beat Matseka Kithinji 6/2,7/5

                                     FINALS

BU-14

Ricky  Omondi beat Ronex Otieno 6/7,6/2,10/5

BU-16

Henry Ayesiga beat Shabani Kabura 1/6,6/3,10/8

                                          

                                              WINNERS

GU-12                                                             BU-12

1.Sneha Kotecha                                  1.Davis Matanda

2.Sada Naeemah                                   2.Antony Owita

3.                                                           3.Lusweti Kiai

BU-14

1.Ricky Omondi

2.Ronex  Otieno                                                                   

3.Olivier Kigotho

 GU-16                                                          BU-16

1.Lorna Bweje                                             1.Henry Ayesiga

2.Sneha Kotecha                                          2.Shabani Kabura

3.Melisa Brown                                            3.Wycliffe Okenye 

BU-18

1.Jamin Luvembe

2.Richard Ooko

3.Joseph Ooko