Kenya’s tennis scene continues to grapple with financial challenges, yet amid these struggles, young talents like Ashley Wafula are rising, determined to make a name for themselves.

Fresh from competing in the 2025 ITF Africa Junior Championship, the promising star has left an impression on the court, even though Kenya’s junior boys’ and girls’ teams struggled at the tournament, which concluded on Saturday at the Nairobi Club.

However, balancing talent development and academics remains a challenge for many parents. Ashley’s father, Jimmy Sichangi, acknowledges this delicate balance, emphasising the role of education systems in nurturing young athletes.

“It’s a very delicate balance between sports and academics,” he explains. “Fortunately, Ashley is studying the British curriculum, which not only focuses on academics but also nurtures talents. I believe the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya was designed to achieve the same goal.”

Beyond tennis, Ashley is a multi-talented athlete, excelling in swimming, football as well as netball. Her ability to juggle multiple sports while maintaining academic excellence speaks volumes about her discipline and resilience.

Reflecting on her experience at the recently concluded ITF Africa Junior Championship, Ashley remains optimistic about her future.

“I have picked up important lessons at the competition, and moving forward, I’ll keep working on myself socially and technically. It has been a learning experience,” she says.

Sichangi attributes Ashley’s success to the unwavering support she has received. “I feel like our efforts have yielded good results by enabling Ashley to reach her fullest potential,” he says.

His advice to other parents is clear: nurture children’s talents early.

“Children will only discover their potential in sports when they are young. It is therefore important to support them in whichever sport they like.”

Despite Ashley’s achievements, the reality remains that Kenyan tennis still faces numerous challenges, including limited funding, rigid school timetables, and inadequate sports infrastructure.

While Kenya has traditionally placed greater emphasis on academics, the rise of CBC aims to provide a more balanced approach.

However, many young athletes still struggle due to a lack of resources and structured support systems.

Sichangi insists that while sports are vital, academics remain a priority.

“Although academics still take precedence in order of importance, sports enable children to cultivate virtues like discipline, hard work, and teamwork. Those who are extremely talented may benefit from scholarships or even go professional,” he explains.

For Ashley, the dream of dominating tennis remains alive, and with the right structures in place, she could be one of Kenya’s next big stars in the sport, just like the sensational Angela Okutoyi.