Over a century of kids expected at this year's Omanyala Tennis 10s

The stage is set for the fourth edition of the Omanyala Tennis 10’s, which will bring together more than 200 children at the Nairobi Club on Saturday, 4 October.

The annual event, organized by Tennis Kenya in partnership with the Omanyala Foundation, has become one of the most important grassroots tennis platforms in the country. It will once again be graced by Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, who also serves as the tournament’s Junior Tennis Ambassador.

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Ahead of the tournament, Mozzart Sport chatted with Tennis Kenya Executive Officer Nancy Nduku, who was wowed by how the event has experienced remarkable growth since its inception in 2022.

“The event has grown over the years. We started with just 60 kids in 2022, increased to 100 in 2023, then 200 last year, and we are still at 200 this year. The numbers could be higher, but we are limited by space. Our vision is to make it bigger and better, with the capacity to host close to 1,000 children in the future,” Nduku said.

©Tabby Nashipae

Nduku further praised Omanyala’s role in inspiring the young players, noting that his presence served as a morale and confidence booster for the youngsters.

“Ferdinand is our Junior Tennis Ambassador. He inspires the young generation and shows them that sports can be a career. When the kids see him on TV representing Kenya, they are motivated. And when he comes down to interact with them, it makes an even greater impact. Some of the children are in awe because they only see him on TV; they almost don’t believe he is real. His presence really pushes them to keep going,” she explained.

While this year’s edition will remain in Nairobi, Tennis Kenya has ambitions to expand the reach of the tournament.

“This year, we wanted to take the event to Mombasa to allow players outside Nairobi, and that is something we are strongly considering for the future. In terms of reach, we already attract players from across the country, from Mombasa, Kisumu, and other regions. We would have had even more participants, but again, space and resources limit us,” Nduku noted.

Beyond the competition, the Omanyala Tennis 10’s is designed to introduce children as young as three years old to the sport, giving them exposure and life skills while creating a pathway for future champions.

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“This is more than just a competition: it’s a participation event that shows kids that even at the youngest age, they can play and dream of becoming champions. We believe in building champions from a young age. Tennis also helps them develop crucial life skills and gain exposure,” she said.

Three years in, and the tournament has started producing results.

“As Tennis Kenya, we are always monitoring these young players because this is a pathway. You can often spot a future champion as early as four years old. From the past editions, we’ve already had players called up to the national teams, representing Kenya in the 12-and-under competitions. That shows the impact this tournament is having,” Nduku added.

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Looking ahead, Tennis Kenya hopes to scale up despite financial and logistical challenges.

“For now, the aim is to show that tennis can be played anywhere in the country. We hope to keep spreading the game, even though the costs are high and resources are limited. Still, we manage with what we have, and every edition proves that the effort is worth it,” Nduku concluded.

This year’s tournament will feature categories for Boys & Girls 6 & Under, Boys & Girls 8 & Under, Boys & Girls 10 & Under Orange, and Boys & Girls 10 & Under Green.