The National Junior Tennis team start training tomorrow ahead of this year’s ITF/ CAT 18 & under East African Junior Circuits slated for November 21 - December 10 at Nairobi tennis club, Kenya.

The team, composed of eight players, four boys and four girls, will begin rigorous training at Kigali tennis courts at Amahoro stadium, under the guidance of head coach, Jean-Pierre Nshimiyimana.

"We want to make a difference this year, our performance in the previous editions has not been convincing and that is why we are starting preparations early to help players get into the mood of the competition as early as possible,” said Jean Pierre Nshimiyimana in an interview with Times Sport.

The team in the boys’ category includes Ernest Habiyambere (17), Etienne Niyigena (18), Fabrice Tuyishime (16), and Jules Ndibwami (17).

In the girls’ fray, Rwanda will be represented by Chantal Mutuyimana (16), Kenia Niyonshima (15), Evelyne Kwizera (15) and Olive Tuyisenge (17).

"Our aim is to make sure we finish in good positions to improve our ITF rankings,” he added

Best ranked players from this tournament get the opportunity to participate in other ITF prestigious tournaments which helps them to develop.

In last year’s edition, which was also hosted in Nairobi, Rwandan players were eliminated in the preliminary round.

The annual tournament attracts players from the East African zone, each fielding a total of eight players (boys and girls), competing in the different age brackets and is also open to players from other countries around the world.

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