Chen and Onyancha win Labour Day Cup

By Oscar Pilipili

Wendy Chen and Derrick Onyancha are the champions of Kenya Lawn Tennis Association (KLTA) Labour Day Cup.

Onyancha defeated Patrick Ndung’u 6-0, 6-1 in a boys’ under-16 final to lift the trophy at Public Service Club, Nairobi.

The boys’ category that attracted eight competitors saw Onyancha beat Kevin Mwangi love and love while Ndung’u overcame Wasai Kitatu 7-5, 4-6, 13-11 in the semi-finals to advance.

Chen had little difficulty in beating Rahedi 6-2, 6-2 in the girls’ final to be crowned the Labour Day queen. The girls’ category also attracted few entries, with only six players participating.

Ariano Lobo beat Alvas Wahome 6-3, 6-1 in girls’ under-14 final duel to carry home the trophy, while Tony Kipruto won the boys’ category with 6-0, 6-0 victory over Jaleel Bana in the final.

Rishabh Sevak emerged the winner of the boys’ under-10 after he won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Dilan Thakkar in an entertaining match.

Other Winners

The other winners included upcoming Diana Mutiso who beat Tate-Harte 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 in the girls’ under-10 final and Hesbon Waweru the 6-1, 6-1 winner over Randal Randiel in the boys’ under-12. Sofiya Gulam lifted the girls’ under-12 trophy after she beat Achu Madhieu 6-1, 6-1 in the final encounter.

KLTA officials said the tournament, that is normally held in Mombasa, was held in Nairobi after Coast Lawn Tennis Association opted not to organise it.

The event was sponsored by The Heron Hotel and attracted over 50 junior players. During the closing ceremony, the chairman of KLTA Patrick Gichira thanked the sponsors and encouraged tennis players to take part in more events so as to improve on their rankings.

The association’s Vice Chairperson Njeri Onyango invited all tennis players of all ages to take part in the forthcoming KLTA Fun Day at the Parklands Sports Club on Saturday.

The event will be used to raise funds to enable the association organise upcoming events, including the East African Prize Money Circuit to be held from May 20 to 23 at the Nairobi Club.

Meanwhile, junior players have left for Dar es Salaam where they will be participating in the Tanzanian leg of the Confederation of African Tennis East African Circuit for players aged under-14.

 

 

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