Julius Mbaraga
14 July 2008
Kigali — Hamisi Gatete has been tipped by the local tennis federation; RTF to make it to the semi-finals of the Confederation of African Tennis U-14 circuit that started on Friday at Cercle Sportif.
Gatete, who turns 14 later this year, is Rwanda's top seed in the ten-day tournament that has also attracted youngsters from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi.
"Saying that he (Gatete) will win might be an over statement but he has the experience and quality to get to the semi-finals," said Thierry Ntwali, the federation's technical director.
Rwanda entered 12 players in the event; nine boys and three girls and Gatete who has been playing for Rwanda since he was 11 will lead the country's surge for honors.
Ntwali also said the continental tournament is to be spread into two competitive events; the first one runs from July 11-15 while the second is programmed for July 16-19.
On top of Rwandatel, Rwanda Development Bank, Sorwathe, Sonarwa and Novotel, UNICEF and Rwanda National Olympics Committee (RNOC) have also funded the event which has been jointly organized by RTF and CAT.
The first round of the U-14 circuit was hosted in North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt) early this year.
Rwandan team; boys- H. Gatete, P. Ishimwe, A.Mwizerwa, O. Havugimana, H. Ntwali, E. Gasirita, M. Gakwana, M. Rukundo and J.Bosco Ngabonziza.
Girls are; S. Kiza, G. Umumararungu and O.Uwineza.
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