Kenyans in the Finals of the ITF/CAT Eastern African Junior Individual Championships
2025 for 14 & 16 and under 2025
By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kenya’s emerging tennis talent has showcased after an outstanding performance during the ongoing ITF/CAT Eastern African Junior Individual Championships 2025 for 14 & 16 and under 2025 at the Nairobi Club where five players have advanced to tomorrow’s finals.
The finals will be a thrilling contest for Kenya’s top emerging tennis talent.
“In terms of talent development, the zone championships are our starting grounds in the pathway to performance in Tennis. In terms of the talent we’ve seen; having a finalist in each of the categories is not so bad for Kenya and we’re looking to see if we can maximise and close in as many points as we can and to get away completely from the second the country,” Coach Francis Rogoi.
The 16 and under girls’ final will be a Kenyan affair when Nancy Kawira and Seline Aboya face off tomorrow. Kawira won the semifinal over Burundi’s Ange Bebita Ishimwe with straight sets win of 6-4, 6-4 while Aboya won an all-Kenyan three sets semifinal which took over two hours against Ishara Deschilder 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.
In the boys 16 and under Kenya’s Ayush Bhandari was dominant with two straight sets win of 6- 2, 6-2 against Uganda’s Tony Blair Oweknimungu. Ayush will face off Burundi’s Miki Nobel Igiraneza who won his semifinal against Kenya’s Mark Murage 6-0, 6-4.
In the 14 and under girls, Kenyans Felicia Ouko and Liya Gikunda will contest for the title. Felicia Ouko registered a big win when she saw off Burundi’s Marie Cella Kezakimana 6-3, 0-6, 10-5 in the semis to advance to finals.
In the other semifinal, Kenya’s Liya Gikunda overcame her compatriot Bathsheba Ogamba in the 3-6, 7-6, 11-9 win to advance to tomorrow’s final.
Liya and Bathsheba semifinal ensured Kenya did not lose any points to the other countries. In the boys 14 and under, Burundi’s Dan Arek Muterampuhwe will battle it out with Uganda’s Samuel Okello for the 14 and under title.
Burundi’s Muterampuhwe beat Uganda’s Cosmas Munguriek 7-5, 6-3 in the semi-final while Okello won 6-3, 6-2 against Rwanda’s Niyibizi Jedekia.
Kenya is also through to 14 and under boys and girls doubles finals. The team championships commence on Sunday, 19th January 2025. Please find attached, Team Kenya photo for ITF/CAT Eastern African Junior Individual and Teams Championships.
