Mele Bizimana started weighing up his form ahead of this year’s Africa Junior Championship yesterday with a series of warm up games in Gaborone, Botswana.

The 15-year-old who is fresh from an ITF training camp in South Africa is part of over 100 juniors who have lined up for the championship which also acts as a qualifying round for the Junior Davis Cup as well as the World Junior Tennis Championships.

Similar to past editions, the Championship has three competitive sections; U-14, U-16 and U-8.

Bizimana, who is Rwanda’s sole flag bearer at the event, will compete in the U-16 category at the event scheduled for March 24-29.

It’s the teenager’s third appearance in the championship after appearances in 2006 and 2007.

Because of its competitive spirit and enthusiasm over the years, the AJC has earned a reputation as one of African tennis most prestigious events.

In the past, the championship has also acted as a valuable springboard for players like Byron Black (Zimbabwe), Hicham Arazi (Morocco), Paul Wekesa (Kenya) and Dally Randriantefy (Madagascra) amongst others who have gone on to play in world class events like the US Open, Australian Open and Roland Garros.

Ends