A total of 136 tennis players – professionals and amateurs – are expected to take part in this year’s Tennis Genocide Memorial Tournament that kicks off this morning, Times Sport has learnt. 

Taking place for sixth consecutive year since, the week-long tournament is one of the memorial events organised by national sports federations every year to honour sportsmen and women killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Last year, the competition was dominated by foreign players from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Arnold Ikondo won the men’s category while his compatriot Nancy Onya claimed the top prize in the women’s category after easing past Rwanda’s Megame Ingabire.

However, unlike during previous editions, there will be no foreign participant this year.

The multi-category tournament has attracted participants in the junior category, amateur category and professional category. Of the 136 registered participants, 64 are women.

The professional category drew 32 players – 24 in men’s and 8 in women’s fray. 

According to Valens Habimana, the Rwanda Tennis Federation’s secretary-general, the tournament starts today with the amateurs (veterans) competition before the professional category players take to courts on Monday, starting with the first round.

Topseed Ernest Habiyambere, Olivier Havugimana, Dieudonné Habiyambere and youngster Etienne Nigena are some of the players to watch in the men’s professional contest.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw