Rugunga-based Cercle Sportif de Kigali (CSK) tennis club emerged victorious at the inaugural I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc. Inter-Club Tennis tournament that concluded in Nyamata, Bugesera District, on Sunday, July 28. Exclusively sponsored by I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc, the week-long competition commenced on July 19 at Cercle Sportif de Kigali Tennis courts and concluded with the finals held at La Palisse Nyamata tennis courts on Sunday. The final closed with an exhibition tennis match between Rwanda’s two professional tennis stars Claude Ishimwe and eventual winner Joshua Muhire. ALSO READ: I&M Bank Rwanda launches ‘Ryoshya Iwawe’ retail campaign The tournament followed a round-robin format, with CSK leading the standings with 43 points, three clear of Ecology Tennis Club who finished in secured second place with 40 points. Nyarutarama claimed third place with 29 points while Kigali Combine found themselves at the bottom of the standings with 25 points. Individually, Dinah Evelyn Kwizera (84 points) collected the most points for her club. The event featured men's and women's categories in singles and doubles, as well as a mixed doubles category in the professional segment. Matches were held at various venues, including Cercle Sportif de Kigali, IPRC Kigali, Nyarutarama Tennis Club, and La Palisse Nyamata courts. The latter also hosted Sunday’s finals. I&M Bank Rwanda's Chief Executive Officer, Benjamin Mutimura, commended all participants and organizers, promising to make the tournament an annual event. “This week has been a great experience for us. We enjoyed every moment of this tournament. Congratulations to all winners, participants, and organizers for this extraordinary event,” Mutimura said. “As I&M Bank, we are committed to supporting the development of sports and the talent of our young people. We promise our consistent support to make this tournament an annual fixture, as our contribution to the growth of this beautiful game,” he added. Tennis is a fast-growing sport in Rwanda, and I&M Bank Rwanda sponsored the Inter-Club tennis tournament as part of its ambitious commitment to not only playing a role in the sport’s development but also giving back to the community and connect with its customers. Mutimura further encouraged the tennis community to join I&M Bank for its excellent services. Théoneste Karenzi, the president of the Rwanda Tennis Federation (RTF) was also in attended during the finals of the I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc. Inter-Club tennis tournament. Karenzi welcomed I&M Bank's initiative to make the tournament an annual event, calling it a significant milestone for the federation's calendar. “We are thrilled to hear that this tournament will be held every year. We thank the I&M Bank management for this great idea. Our young players will greatly benefit from playing consistently and having more local competitions,” Karenzi said.
