Dan Limbago (USTA) A Hit At Sadili

The Sadili camps kick started on high note on the 17/12/12. A lot of energy could be felt all round within the various disciplines from Tennis, Basketball, Soccer and Rugby.

Fitness with Dan Limbago

Undaunted by the heavy rains that fell for the better part of Tuesday morning, athletes at Sadili couldn’t miss an opportunity of taking advantage of training with visiting trainers, Mr. Dan Limbago who is the national manager of National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL), at the United States Tennis Association (USTA), assisted by Sadili Oval’s own; Dr. Elizabeth Odera, (Director of Sadili Oval Sports Academy).

From the Basketball court, Mr. Nick-Caro O’Neil Golding who was an Instructor with MPAC Sports in the U.A.E Dubai (from Chicago, USA) had intense sessions with students who were only eager to fill their curiosity and skill on the game. Their determination written all over their faces was a clear indication of how well they would like to excel.

Speaking to Sadili Oval’s Evelyne Guchura, Mr. Nick-Caro said that he had seen a lot of potential in the Kenyan youth training at Sadili Oval Sports Academy. ‘We need to tap this talent at a young age for the fundamental basics so as to grow the talent in the game with time.’ said Nick. He hopes that during his stay in Kenya, he is going to offer some innovative developments in sports especially starting from the primary schools level, while working together with various partners involved. 

Karen Tennis for Kibera

Karen Country Club will be holding a tennis tournament in aid of the construction of the Kibera tennis play space. The event is scheduled for tomorrow, 3rd Nov 2012 from 1.30  pm at the prestigious Karen Country Club, along Karen Rd. 

The funds raised are aimed at grading the ground where the kids train in the first phase of the establishment of the Kibera Tennis Center. Together with the Local community, Sadili Oval will be coordinating the project. At the moment this is just a sloping piece of land that needs a retaining wall and levelling.  Players will also bring any racquets, sports clothing etc that they no longer need.

Why Kibera?Over the years, Sadili Oval Sports Academy has been working to promote tennis as sport to the local people. Through these efforts, Kibera slums has continuously boasted talent to reckon with, especially in the under 18 yrs players. This project will therefore create a more convenient space for more children to develop their talent on the game, as well as source of recreation to keep them away from other social injustices.The surface will be used for tennis, basketball, and volleyball. 

Want to watch the kids play? 

Go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9VhDtWnkVw&list=PL8876103436B9F9FF&index=13&feature=plpp_video

New Sadili-Kibera Talent Earns ITF/CAT Award For Kenya

Davis Matanda powered his way through to the Boys U12 singles quarterfinals of the ITF/CAT KIA Motors Junior Competitions in Mahe, Seychelles, trouncing Denzel Laporte 6-0 6-0. His team mate, Antony Hoka followed suite, easily flying past Arnold Mein (Seychelles) 6-1 6-1 to set up a quarterfinal match against Reunion Number 2 and third seed, Samuel Verbard, where he lost 6-0 6-0.

Davis Matanda In Action

Matanda later played against Seychelles number 2 and fourth seed Shaun Andriamaro, losing in a long tough quarterfinal match that was not reflected in the final scores, 1-6, 1-6. Both boys finally settled on position 7 (David) and 8 (Antony).

Davis and Antony partnered to beat Noah Jean-Louis/Christian Payet (Seychelles) 6-3 6-2 to reach the boys doubles semi-finals, where they met Damien/Shaun (sey), losing 1-6, 3-6. They then went on to overpower Seychelles to win Kenya their first bronze medal of the boys under 12s this year.

The boys singles champion was Damien Laporte (Sey), who neat favourite Cement Esparon  6-1, 6-2, while Samuel Verbard (Reunion) dispensed of Shaun Andriamaro (Sey) 6-0 6-1 to life the bronze medal.

Sadili's Jamin Luvembe Makes A First to Davis Cup From Kibera

Jamin Luvembe becomes the first tennis player from Kibera, Africa's largest slum, to play Davis Cup when he joins the Kenya team in Tunisia on the 1st of July 2012. 

Jamin was called in at the last minute to play trials at Nairobi Club, started out as the underdog, but rallied to win all his group-stage matches, qualifying for the semifinals as a firm candidate, and ending up as the runnerup, and 4th player for the team after Ibrahim Kibet. Other other two positions were not contested for, as KLTA had already selected  Faiz and Ishmael Changawa of Mombasa. Ishmael is currently the best ranked junior and has posted impressive results in ITF tournaments. Jamin, who is a student at Malezi School, started playing tennis at 8 years, when his brother, Francis Isiaho, introduced him to Sadili Oval Sports Academy. His sponsor and coach, Dr. Liz Odera says "this is Jamin's dream starting to come true. He has proved that committment and hard work pays. He still has a lot to do to become the player we hope to see, but this is a great step ib gaining experience, and we are very proud of him". Jamin has been put on standby, as funds are awaited for from the government, according to KLTA, so Kenyans may have to wait a little longer if he doesn't travel. Kenya will be play against some great teams, including Ghana, Nigeria, Tunisia, Benin, Zimbabwe, and Cote d'Ivoire. Kenya has barely managed to stay in Group 3 and it is hoped that, by exposing juniors like Ishmael and Jamin, the experience will pay off in a few years.