Albert Njogu out to defend Kenya Junior title

Albert Njogu is set to defend his champ of the Kenya Junior Open Tennis slated for December 17 – 20 at the Nairobi Club . The event which is organised by Tennis Kenya follow the “best of three sets” format.

The Mbagathi Secondary School student and a trainee under Zion Zone Foundation won the title last year and will be gunning to offer Kenyans an early Christmas by defending the title.

The 16 year-old boy made it to last eight slots, his best in the just concluded three weeks International Tennis Federation (ITF) East Africa Junior Circuit class of Grade 5 tourney.

Njogu, currently playing a week long Karen Open Senior Event will be in the Kenyan team which will represent the country in next year’s Zonal challenge in January and he will use the tournament to gauge his ability.

The tournament is open to junior players ranging from 12 years to under 18 years. Some 250 competitors are expected to participate.

The tourney has not only attracted local but foreign talents too. Gabon, Madagascar, Burundi and Tanzania, are among the countries expected to feature.

The tourney which was introduced in 1922 got a boost after a leading security company in the region, Security Group Association (SGA), stepped in and offered a sponsorship worth Sh 475,600 to Tennis Kenya.

Speaking at a press conference at the Nairobi Club where the tourney will be held, immediate Kenya Lawn Tennis Association( before being re-branded to Tennis Kenya) chairperson and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) women representative Purvi Rawal said that they are doing all rounded games.

“We are doing all around activities. Juniors. Seniors. All African games. We are signing teams outside the country too,” she said.“In the last 5 to 6 years, tennis has become very vibrant in Kenya.”

The vice -chairman of Kenya Tennis, Francis Mutuku, said: “We are pleased to have SGA as our sponsors .We are looking forward to a competitive tournament,” he said.