Gasigwa heads to Lusaka

RWANDA’s top seed Jean Claude Gasigwa heads to Lusaka today to compete in the Zambia Open Tennis Championship which runs from October 19 to 24 at Lusaka Club.Gasigwa, who won the Kigali ITF/CAT Circuit title last month, will be among several high profile players expected to spice up the tournament. Others are drawn from Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.The six foreign players are Phenyo Matong, Lame Botsoma and Lefa Sibana (Botswana), John Nyau (Tanzania), a player only identified as Yvonne (Kenya) and Jutta Bernatzy (Malawi).Zambia’s quest will be led by national champion Edgar Kazembe, Nkumbu Chonya, Henry Banda, Staiva Thowe, Kombe Mabo and Patrick Mafumbila.“I have been preparing hard for this tournament and I hope I will put up a good show,” said the 28-year old, who is targeting to use the tournament as a build-up to next month’s ITF Men’s Futures due in Kigali.However, Gasigwa, who is scheduled to fly out today, was still waiting for sponsorship from RwandAir by press time.The Nyarutarama-tennis club based top seed won his second successive ITF/CAT Prize money circuit a week ago after a spirited comeback beating compatriot Dieudonné Habiyambere 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.According to Zambia Tennis Federation president Tolani Zulu, men’s singles and doubles winners will earn US$1,500 each, while the winners in the women singles and doubles will receive US$1,000 each.

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Gasigwa heads to Lusaka