Sh1.35m prize for Britam Open

[Photo: Courtesy]

This year’s edition of the Britam Kenya Open Tennis Championship has attracted top players from East and Central Africa to compete for a slice of the Sh1.35 million prize at stake.

The tournament, which is the biggest event on Kenya’s tennis calendar, has drawn players from Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the majority of contenders from Kenya.

The Britam Kenya Open will run from June 24 to July 1, at both the Nairobi Club and Public Service Club.

In the Men’s Singles, defending champion Ismael Changawa Ruwa will seek to keep the title on home soil as his two-year domination crown comes under threat from former champions Duncan Mugabe (Uganda) and Edgar Kazembe (Zambia).

Other challenges will come up in the Junior category, with Sheil Kotecha expected to cause upsets in the Men’s Draw. It was a family affair in 2016 as Ismael’s sister Shufaa Changawa also claimed the Women's Singles crown.

Currently, the Kenya Women's Team is in Moldova in Eastern Europe for the Federation Cup. The challenge for the Women's crown will come from Nancy Onya of DRC, who will be travelling to Nairobi for the second year running. She is also the defending Singles champion.

Other categories include the Women's and Men's Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Handicap and Wheelchair competitions.