Refurbished Parklands Club ready to host ITF tennis event

Parklands Sports Club committee members during the launch of the renovated Clubhouse and the upgraded seven tennis courts.[Courtesy]

Renovated Parklands Sports Club in Nairobi is ready to host world beaters who will descend in the Kenyan capital to look for honours in a high profile ITF tennis tournament on May 8-18.

The cutthroat championship with very lucrative prizes has attracted international players from Europe, America, Australia and Africa.

In order to make the tournament a success, the club has upgraded its seven murram surface tennis courts to ensure smooth hosting of the event.

The club has also completed its ambitious project to renovate the club house which was officially opened to its members and guests on Thursday.

"We expect to host 120 international players during the tournament. The completion of this project is one of the most fulfilling of my administration," Michael Muchemi, the Club Chairman, told Standard Sports.

Sports Club Chairman Michael Muchemi addressing members and guests during the launch of the renovated Clubhouse and the upgraded seven tennis courts.[Courtesy]

The completion of the facelift project, which began mid last year, is one of the most fulfilling strides the club has made over the years.

The newly renovated spaces bring out renewed appreciation for design elements as they feature a combination of retro and modern aesthetics.

"The committee had planned to embark on this journey, and it has paid off," Muchemi stated.

"The transformation of this club house 117 years later, since its inception, required the hardwork and commitment of a solid team of experts who believed in our vision to set the standard for urban excellence and rebuild this asset into what it was intended to be," he said.

The official ribbon cutting and grand opening of the club house was well attended by members and invited guests who were wowed by the extreme makeover.

Guests and members admire the renovated Clubhouse at Parklands Sports Club in Nairobi.[Courtesy]

Apart from the tennis courts and the club house, the facility also boasts of an athletic tartan track, a football pitch, a squash court, modernised gym equipment - cardio staircase climber, cardio integrity SL treadmill, cardio cross trainer and 20 IC 6 spin bikes, basketball courts among other sporting facilities.

The ITF J30 Nairobi Extreme Parklands Junior Circuit which is part of the ITF World Tennis Junior Tour has already attracted 32 boys from across the globe in the single draw. The boys double has 16 entrants.

It is so far a similar number for girls in the singles and doubles draw.

The entry deadline which was to be today (Tuesday) has been extended to April 25 with the withdrawal deadline moved from April 25 to May 2.

Singles Qualifying sign-in is on May 12 while the singles main draw sign-in is on May 14. The tournament will be directed by George Oyoo.