Kimanzi hoping KSSSA Games success will be a stepping stone to great career

At a small quiet village known as Muthale in Kitui County, Alex Ndone, a medical practitioner, has taken on a massive undertaking that is changing the lives of children, one racquet at a time. 

On his own volition, the volunteer tactician has introduced Lawn Tennis in one of the local public schools, Muthale Primary, and his efforts have, over the years, borne fruits. 

This year, the tactician qualified four of his players, all students at Muthale Mixed Day School, to the Kenya Secondary School Sport Association (KSSSA), representing Eastern region in Nakuru.

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In a sport mostly dominated by Nairobi region, Francis Kimanzi, against all odds, managed to qualify for the East Africa School Games set for Arusha, Tanzania from 15 to 23 September, the only one to pave through from Eastern region. 

"Kimanzi created interest in the sport while in class seven at the primary school where our court is. It has been quite the ride and to see him scale to such heights is a great joy. 

This year we expected to qualify more than one participants to the EA games but the format was changed from having the top 12 qualify to the top six. He is the only student who has made it through from outside Nairobi region and that speaks alot to what we are doing," offered coach Ndone. 

Francis Kimanzi (centre) poses for a photo with his teammates.

Kimanzi made it through to the nationals unbeaten at the zone,sub-county, county, and regional levels unbeaten and went on to finish in sixth place at the national games. 

"It was a wonderful performance and I believe in Arusha, he will be among the top ten finishers. We are hoping that his good performance does not go unnoticed as these players need alot of support. 

They have been playing without the most basic of necessities like shoes and proper kits. Their parents cannot afford yo provide them with such as they struggle with paying the required school fees. 

We, therefore, take it upon ourselves to provide some of these basic things on top of the playing equipment which is no cheap endeavour. Their success at any level is a joy. Any assistance accorded these players will be greatly appreciated," concludes the tactician. 

On his part, Kimanzi believe this is an opportunity that could help shape his career in the sport, seeing as he is in his final year of school and promises to give it his best shot.