Ogamba, Mundia shine for Kenya at CAT U-14 tennis circuit

By Newsflash Reporter

Rising Kenyan tennis stars Bathsheba Ogamba and Evans Mundia flew the country’s flag high at the recently concluded World Tennis-Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) Under-14 Circuit – Kenya I and Kenya II tournaments held on the clay courts of Parklands Sports Club in Nairobi.

Ogamba enjoyed a particularly impressive fortnight, winning gold in both the Kenya I singles and doubles competitions before adding a silver medal in the Kenya II singles and another doubles gold.

The second seed lost 6-1, 6-0 to Zimbabwean top seed Ruvarashe Kimberly Mukanike in Sunday’s Kenya II singles final following an impressive run to the championship match.

Fondly known as Sheba, Ogamba received a first-round bye before defeating Malawi’s Maisie Stewart 6-1, 6-0, Tanzania’s Godlove Shayo 6-0, 6-1 and compatriot Imani Kavuisya 6-0, 6-4 to reach the final.

Mukanike booked her place in the championship match after beating Kenyans Malia Orendo 6-1, 6-1 and Hilena Kendi Brook 6-2, 6-0 before overcoming South Africa’s Olivia Botha 6-0, 6-3.

Ogamba ended the second leg on a winning note, partnering compatriot Paula Ouko to the doubles title. The top seeds defeated Botha and Mukanike 6-2, 6-4 in the final.

Strong display

Her Kenya II campaign followed an equally strong display in the opening leg, where she beat Botha 6-2, 7-5 to win the singles title before teaming up with Ouko to claim the doubles crown.

Ogamba said her Kenya I victory had provided valuable preparation for her upcoming assignments.

“I am generally really happy with the results. This victory means a lot because I really wanted to win it in order to prepare for the upcoming tournament, so these points are really important for me,” she said.

She described the final as demanding, particularly because of her opponent’s aggressive style.

“The girl was really aggressive, but I managed to neutralize her game. The toughest moment was when I was 0-5 down, but I never gave up. God really helped me to come back,” she added.

Ogamba admitted she had not expected to recover from such a deficit.

Kenyan tennis player Evans Mundia (right) with his Cameroonian counterpart Prince Jireh Moukam. Photo/Tennis Kenya

“I did not believe I could come back and cover the 0-5 gap because it was huge. I was just happy to finish and reserve my energy for the next match,” she said.

She credited her parents for playing a central role in her tennis development, describing them as “literally my sponsors” because of the support they provide.

Ogamba also said the tournament reinforced the importance of respecting every opponent.

“Every player is a great player and for you to be able to compete you must bring your best game,” she observed.

She will now shift her focus to Morocco, where she plans to compete in a Level 1 tournament.

“I would like to perform really good,” she said.

Mundia bags two doubles titles

Mundia also enjoyed a productive fortnight, collecting doubles gold in both Kenya I and Kenya II while taking silver in the Kenya II singles.

The second seed fell 6-3, 6-2 to Zimbabwean top seed Roshane Gede in the Kenya II singles final after a dominant run to the championship match.

Mundia began his campaign by dismissing compatriots Khyle Rajiv Shah 6-0, 6-1 and Peter Mutuku 6-0, 6-1. He then beat Tanzania’s eighth seed Daniel Kiliani 6-0, 6-2 before overcoming Tunisia’s Ben Romdhane 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-final.

Gede, however, proved too strong in the final to deny the Kenyan the singles crown.

Mundia recovered in the doubles, partnering Gede to victory as the top seeds defeated fourth seeds Lewis Onyango and Romdhane 6-2, 6-4 in the final.

The Mundia-Gede partnership had also triumphed in the doubles during the opening Kenya I tournament.

Romdhane won the Kenya I singles title, while no Kenyan boy progressed beyond the quarter-finals in the first leg.

Mundia said the Nairobi circuit had provided an important platform for his development.

“The CAT 14 and Under Nairobi circuit was amazing. Winning gold in both leg one and leg two doubles and silver in leg two singles feels great,” he said.

“It was a great learning opportunity. I have gained more experience and confidence which I will take into my next upcoming tournament.”