{"id":84884,"date":"2024-09-18T13:20:36","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T13:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/inside-efforts-to-prepare-future-tennis-champions-in-rwanda"},"modified":"2024-09-18T13:45:13","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T13:45:13","slug":"inside-efforts-to-prepare-future-tennis-champions-in-rwanda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/inside-efforts-to-prepare-future-tennis-champions-in-rwanda","title":{"rendered":"Inside efforts to prepare future tennis champions in Rwanda"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Former Rwanda tennis number one Joselyn Umulisa founded Tennis Rwanda Children\u2019s Foundation (TRCF) in 2022 with an ambitious goal to contribute to the development of the sport in Rwanda.<\/p>\n

Through the initiative, the seven-time national tennis champion is striving to harness the skills of young Rwandan tennis players.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy vision is to increase the number of skilled tennis players in the country, especially girls, as they are still few. I plan on retiring, but I want to ensure that there are suitable players to take up the mantle and represent the country before I move on,\u201d Umulisa told Times Sport.<\/p>\n

TRCF recently hosted the Future Tennis Champions tournament from August 26-31, bringing together over 150 Rwandan youth with the support of South African investor Kreseten Buch.<\/p>\n

Some young tennis players selected to participate at the Future Tennis Champions tournament recently held at Cercle Sportif de Kigali from August 26-31-courtesy<\/p>\n

The youth tournament drew players from across Rwanda, including Kigali, Southern and Eastern Provinces, as well as neighboring refugee camps such as Mahama.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving these tournaments gives us the opportunity to evaluate the growth of our players and spot potential national representatives for future competitions. They also allow the players a chance to do what they love\u2014play tennis,\u201d Umulisa explained.<\/p>\n

The tournament was played on a knockout basis. In the under 16 girls\u2019 category, Melissa Bimenyimana emerged victorious winning 4-1, 4-2 in a tight tie breaker that concluded 12-10.<\/p>\n

Bimenyimana emphasized the importance of young female tennis players having confidence in themselves and taking away values from playing tennis.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started playing tennis when I was three, with my dad as my coach,\u201d she recalls.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the biggest challenges for me has been self-confidence. There were moments in the match when I lost hope but I pushed through. I ‘m sure my dad is proud of watching me win, especially since it is my last year in under 16.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy advice to other young female players is to have confidence in themselves in all circumstances,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

One of some young tennis players during the game at Cercle Sportif de Kigali.<\/p>\n

Melissa\u2019s father, Eric Bimenyimana is a tennis coach who has for long contributed to the development of young players through local tournaments.<\/p>\n

He envisions a bright future for Rwandan tennis, saying, \u201cIn the next 5 to 10 years, I hope to have more young Rwandan players at national and regional levels.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the current tournaments being played and hosted in Rwanda, from Billie Jean King to Davis Cup, I believe we are setting up our kids for success by exposing them to competitive realities that are helping them develop visions,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Umulisa shares a similar perspective and said, \u201cAs we expand our tennis academy, what we have come to realize is that any kid, from anywhere, can be a tennis player.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce they are provided with a tennis racket and tennis ball, regardless of where they are from, they can hold a racket and start learning how to play tennis,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n

Joselyn Umulisa founder of Tennis Rwanda Children\u2019s Foundation (TRCF) speaks at the Future Tennis Champions tournament that took place from August 26-31.<\/p>\n

According to Umulisa, one of the biggest challenges facing youth tennis development down the road was acclimating players from more rural areas who had never played on a tennis court.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of our players, such as those who had come from refugee camps, had never played on, or even seen proper courts. We had to teach them where to stand when serving and receiving the ball. Still, many of them proved to be some of the best players in the tournament, making it to the semifinals and finals of the tournament,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Having experienced the challenges of growing up with limited opportunities, Umulisa understands the challenges and is committed to nurturing future Rwandan tennis talents from all backgrounds.<\/p>\n

As she approaches retirement, she is determined to leave behind a strong foundation of players who can represent the country on a global stage.<\/p>\n

By hosting global tournaments and international players for competitions, the Rwandan tennis industry continues to make significant strides in producing young players with opportunities to participate in tournaments on a global scale.<\/p>\n

These initiatives also serve as a major source of inspiration for the next generation of Rwandan tennis players.<\/p>\n

Joselyn Umulisa, the founder of Tennis Rwanda Children\u2019s Foundation (TRCF) speaks at the Future Tennis Champions tournament that took place from August 26-31.<\/p>\n

Joselyn Umulisa, the founder of Tennis Rwanda Children\u2019s Foundation (TRCF) said that her ambitious goal is to contribute to the development of the sport in Rwanda.<\/p>\n

The youth tournament drew players from across Rwanda, including Kigali, Southern and Eastern Provinces, as well as neighboring refugee camps such as Mahama.<\/p>\n

Joselyn Umulisa founder of Tennis Rwanda Children\u2019s Foundation (TRCF) gives a medal to one of the children who participated at the Future Tennis Champions tournament from August 26-31.<\/p>\n

Mulisa gives a medal to one of the best performers of the competition<\/p>\n

Mulisa’s initiatives also serve as a major source of inspiration for the next generation of Rwandan tennis players.<\/p>\n

The tournament was played on a knockout basis.<\/p>\n\r\n