Teenagers of 14 and 16 years aim for glory as regional action commences
By Barry Silah, January 15, 2025
Tennis Kenya Federation (TK) is set to host the ITF/CAT Eastern African Junior Individual and Teams Championships 2025, kicking off today at the Nairobi Club courts.
The nine-day event promises plenty of action as young talent from across Eastern Africa battles it out. The competition, open to boys and girls aged 14 and under and 16 and under, is organised by the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) in partnership with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Tennis Kenya.
For the championship, two formats will feature: the individual event will run from January 15 to 18, while the Team Championships will take place from January 19 to 23, 2025.
Ten Eastern African nations (Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda) will be represented.
The 14 & Under Individual Tournament is classified as a Grade 2 event on the 2025 CAT Circuit.
Additionally, the Individual Zones’ Championships for the 14 and 16 & Under categories will act as an evaluation platform for selecting potential players to compete in the 1st AJC for 14 & Under in March 2025 and the AJC for 16 & Under in April 2025.
Kenya last hosted the championships in 2018, a memorable edition that saw the host nation crowned champions.
Tennis Kenya takes pride in hosting this year’s event, viewing it as an opportunity to showcase the region’s rising talent while nurturing the next generation of tennis stars.
Meanwhile, the ITF Developmental Clinic, led by Dermot Sweeney (ITF Technical Director for Training Centres and Player Development), is scheduled to take place in Nairobi over the next two days.
The specialised training will focus on capacity building, with the ITF expert sharing insights with officials and management to help grow and enhance the sport. ITF Technical Director Thierry Ntwali and Tennis Kenya President James Kenani are also expected to attend the event.