Kenya’s upcoming tennis stars triumphed in the 14’s(singles and Doubles) and 16’s singles, claiming five out of the six titles in contention during the finals of ITF/CAT Eastern African Junior Individual Championships 2025 at the Nairobi Club.

The 16 & Under boys’ and girls’ finals were a thrilling contest with both stretching to three full sets to produce the eventual winners. In the girls’ category; an all-Kenyan final, Seline Aboya claimed the first set 6-3, but Nancy Kawira bounced back to claim the second and third set 6-2, 6-2 to claim the ultimate 16 and under girls’ title.

“I am happy I won the tournament because the last time I played Seline, she won, but I had to fight. I thank Tennis Kenya for hosting this tournament, a lot of people came and supported us,” Nancy Kawira.

In the boys 16 and under, Kenya’s Ayush Bhandari overcame Burundi’s Miki Nobel Igiraneza, a player Ayush had lost to in their previous three encounters. Ayush won 2-1 of 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3 for the title.

“It was a really tough match; I am really happy I was able to go through. I have lost to the same player in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, three years in a row, so it feels really nice to win especially at home. The crowd was amazing, it helped me through my three sets. We are looking forward to the team events, come and support us,” Ayush.

Felicia Ouko was crowned the girls’ singles 14 and under champion after winning the final against her compatriot and friend Liya Gikunda 6-2, 6-4. The duo partnered for the girls’ doubles 14 and under finals – another Kenyan affair seeing off teammates Bathsheba Ogamba and Jenerica Rogoi 6-1, 6-1 to claim the doubles title.

“This tournament has been a great experience, lots of fights and lots of tough matches but I pulled through. This whole experience has been really good, I played well in this tournament and hopefully, we can take the team event. It was nice to win both the singles and doubles but I need to focus on the team event, I feel nice representing my country,”

“This experience was amazing, losing the singles was really tough as I lost against my partner but she was able to bring back my energy and we were able to fight for the doubles and win, this whole experience was so special with all the Kenyan teammates supporting us,” Liya Gikunda.

Double partners Vihaan Bulsara and Ayaan Quadros overcame Ugandan duo Cosmas Munguriek and Samuel Okello 7-5, 7-5 to win the boys’ doubles 14 and under title.

“In the first set I was playing badly and Ayaan carried me through the first set, in the second set every shot I played went in, I was hitting the balls, everything was going on well. We gelled really well,” Vihaan

“This tournament has been great, Vihaan and I connected well and played extremely well. The tournament was perfect, especially us winning the doubles, and the rest of team Kenya has been great,” Ayaan said.

Burundi’s Dan Arek Muterampuhwe won the boys 14 and under title winning against Uganda’s Samuel Okello 6-2, 7-5.

The Individual Zones’ Championships for 14 and 16 years & under will serve as an evaluation for an eventual selection of potential players to take part at the 1st AJC for 14 & U in February 2025 and for the AJC for 16 & U in April 2025.

The team events will commence Sunday and run through the 23rd of January.