Rwandan tennis star Joseline Umulisa on Tuesday, April 2, inaugurated the 'Future Champion Tennis Tournament,’ a new junior tennis competition dedicated to showcase the talents of young players.
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Supported by Inkomoko, the five-day tournament, taking place at the Cercle Sportif de Kigali, aims to provide a platform for children aged 10 to 16 years from across the country to display their skills in both boys and girls categories.
Umulisa is the founder of Tennis Rwanda Children Foundation (TRCF) which came to life to create opportunities and bring positive change to the lives of children who can benefit physically and psychologically from learning tennis.
Speaking to Times Sport Umulisa highlighted that the tournament allows coaches to assess the players' progress and skill levels.
"The youngsters in this tournament are constantly practicing with their respective clubs and teams in their local areas. This event provides them an opportunity to showcase their skills and assess their growth as players,” she said in an interview.
At the same time, she said, it enables the coaches to observe the progression and skill level of their athletes.
The former Rwanda top seed tennis player in women category revealed plans to organise three more tournaments to support the targeted young talents.
"Our goal is to organize three more tournaments like this, providing more opportunities for these young athletes to showcase their talents," she said.
Tony Axel Mutore, 13, came from Mahama refugee camp to participate in the tournament.
The youngster said that the tournament offers an opportunity to connect with peers, learn, and gauge his skills against others.
"This tournament is an excellent opportunity for me to interact with other young players, learn from them, and build connections," Mutore said.
"As a child living in a refugee camp, we still lack access to quality playing courts. We hope that in the future, we will have more and better playing grounds."
And for 16-year-old Ivy Ramba, such tournaments are important in boosting confidence among young players.
Eager to showcase her skills during the inaugural tennis competition, Ramba acknowledged the competitive field but expressed determination to excel and pursue a career in tennis.
"I have eagerly anticipated this tournament, but I must admit I'm a bit apprehensive as there are so many talented players. However, I'm here to give it my all and strive towards my goal of becoming a professional tennis player one day," she noted.
"Competitions like this help us build our confidence and acclimate to the high-pressure environment of competitive tennis, which is essential in our development as players."