Rwanda Tennis Federation (RTF) has pledged to boost the annual Gasigwa Memorial tournament, following the success of the inaugural tournament which ended on Sunday at Cercle-sportif de Kigali tennis courts.

The tournament was organised in memory of Rwanda’s former tennis hero, Jean Claude Gasigwa, who died in January 2015 aged 32.

The tournament attracted 32 professional players from Uganda, DR Congo, Burundi, Tanzania and hosts Rwanda.

The one week inaugural tournament that run from March 21-27 was won by Rwanda’s rising star 17-year-old Ernest Habiyambere and Megane Ingabire in the men and women categories respectively.

"The tournament was successful; the turn up went beyond our expectations. Participants came from almost all the East African Countries yet this was the first edition with no big prize money, this was a big inspiration for the next editions,” said Valens Habimana, RTF Secretary General in an exclusive interview with Times Sport  

He further revealed that, RTF is determined to make this tournament better through mobilizing and consulting concerned parties like sponsors.

"We had not prepared for the prize money or titles but the next editions will be more improved and we expect it to grow bigger,” he added

Habimana, said the federation has now turned focus on the forthcoming Genocide Memorial tournament set for June and has already secured sponsorship.

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