By Oscar Pilipili
Shebani Kabura is the winner of boys’ under-14 category in International Tennis Federation/ Confederation of African Tennis tournament.
He grabbed the title from teammate Saidi Nkurunziza after he won the final match 6-1, 6-3 in the finals of the first leg of the competition at Sadili Oval Tennis Academy, Nairobi.
Shebani, who has been a student of Malezi School and trains at Sadili Oval for the last five years, also partnered with Saidi to reach an all-Burundi boys’ under-14 final, where they lost narrowly in a tie break to Omari Mohammed and Shabani Kassalo 4-1. 0-4 (9).
Saidi had to fight past Kenyan Sheil Kotecha 7-5, 2-6’ 7-5 in a closely contested quarter-final, and team mate Shabani Kassalo (Burundi) 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the semi-finals to qualify for the final berth.
Kabura eased past Egill Sirgudsson (Iceland) 6-1, 6-1 in the quarters, before meeting sixth seed Ernest Habiyambere (Rwanda and ITF Centre Burundi), playing a tough semi-final match, where he floundered after a quick first set, eventually rallying to win 6-3 0-6, 6-4.
Top places
Seychelles became the team to watch in the boys under-12 taking all top places.
New sensation and newcomer, 10 year old Laporte Damien (Seychelles) thundered his way past all opposition to lift the boys under-12 category.
Damien beat Geoffrey Ogega (Kenya) 6-0 6-4, and Emile Teja (Kenya) 7-5 6-3 to meet first seed Jonathan Mugisha (Burundi), beating him 6-4, 6-3 in the final.
Damien partnered with Sahun Adriamaro to give Seychelles the boys under-12 doubles gold medal when they beat Teja/Jonathan Mugisha 5-4 (5), 3-5 (3).
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