President Paul Kagame won the inaugural BCR Open 2007 tennis tournament played at the Nyarutarama Tennis Club yesterday.Pairing with Fidel Kamanzi, the pair beat Theoneste Bahati and Rodriguez in three sets 6-7/6-3/6-3 in the amateur category final played yesterday morning.The pair of President Kagame and Kamanzi reached the final after eliminating Jean Tiboto and Kapalasi Uwizeye in the semifinal 4-6, 6-6, 6-3.While the pair of Bahati and Rodriguez saw off Sports minister Joseph Habineza and Innocent Muhima 6-2, 6-2. In the ‘professionals’ singles’ category, Pascal Uwimana Kazungu beat Noel Hakizimana in a three sets thriller 4-6,7-6,6-1 in an hour and 40 minutes.Kazungu reached the final on the expense of Emmanuel Rukundo whom he beat in the semifinal also in three sets 4-6,7-5,6-2 while Hakizimana beat Justin Mayuna in three sets 3-6,7-6,6-4.The BCR sponsored week-long tournament, which started last Monday, attracted over 40 players in four different categories.Gatete Hamisi beat Ashraf Nvuyekure 6-2,4-6,6-4 in the finals of the boys’ category while Gisela Umumararungu beat one Melisa 1-6,7-5,6-4 to win the girls’ category.For their efforts, the winners in each category walked away with prizes, which included trophies (for the amateurs), cash prizes for the rest on top of tennis balls and BRC bags.Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Ezra Bunyenyezi the bank’s board director expressed his satisfaction with the way the event was organized and promised more sponsorship."This is only the first event and we are delighted to be associated with Nyarutarama Tennis Club, therefore, if God wishes, we shall continue with the sponsorship even next year,” he noted after handing over the cheque to the club president Col. Geoffrey Byegeka.