Arusha boys win Tanzania ITF/CAT glory

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian Tumaini Martin braved the scorching sun to clinch the ITF/CAT East African Junior Championship trophy at the Dar Gymkhana Club courts yesterday.

The Arusha-based budding player needed one hour to see off his Kenyan opponent, Cheruyot Kevin 6-2, 6-4. The 16-year-old reaffirmed his dominance on clay and further re-wrote his name among the region’s most talented youngsters.

 Both boys appeared nervous in early stages, with breaks of serve exchanged in game one, but the Tanzanian fired a brilliant cross-court backhand winner to take the opening set. Cheruyot made Tumaini go an extra mile in the second set as the industrious Kenyan took charge of the second set with his good aggressive forehand services.

However, Tumaini regained his composure to control the game with the Kenyan looking increasingly frustrated as the game wore on.

Poor serve and lack of concentration by Cheruyot coupled with home support for Tumaini, ensured the Tanzanian racked up a magnificent forehand winner before throwing his hands up in the sky to celebrate an incredible victory.

Speaking after seeing his dream come true, Tumaini said, “This is  sweet victory.  Cheruyot is a good player and he always gives me a hard time whenever we meet.” “I must thank the fans because without them, I may not have won this match. This win is important because it’s a major boost for me ahead of the forthcoming international competitions,” added Tumaini.

Cheruyot, who settled for the second spot, said, “Tumaini served better than me, he was very aggressive on his forehand, he did not make many mistakes, so he deserves to win.”

In the Under-14 category, another Tanzanian, Omary Sulle, managed to win the top prize after sending Burundian Kabura Shakuru packing. Sulle, also from the Arusha Gymkhana Club, capped Tanzania’s best outing with a 6-3, 6-0 victory.

Burundian Mariam Mjawimana won the ladies’ Under-16 title after defeating Tanzanian Georgina Kaindoha 6-4, 6-3 in a well-contested final held early on. Kaindoha, one of the fast rising tennis players in the country, went to the courts as a clear favourite, but it was not just her day.

“I am disappointed to lose by that margin, maybe I was overconfident and I ended making many silly mistakes. “But I am happy that I managed to reach the final because there were a lot of players from different countries whom I beat to qualify for the final. “Mjawimana deserves the victory because she remained composed throughout the match, but I promise to improve in next championships,” said Kaindoha.   

In the girls Under-14 category, Naimana Sada of Burundi beat her countrywoman Nyiokuru Aisha 6-3,6-1 while in the boys’ event Kenyan Shah Kean took the title after felling compatriot Radiek Ryan 6-3,6-1.