Bonnie Mugabe
2 September 2008
Kigali — Rwanda's top seed Jean Claude Gasigwa is a major doubt for this year's ITF Men's Future first leg scheduled for this weekend in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Gasigwa, who initially had planned to travel to Bujumbura today, is facing financial constraints.
Speaking to Times Sport by telephone yesterday, the 25-year-old said he can't afford to meet the tournament's expenses.
"[Ideally], I should be on my way [to Bujumbura] so that I have two to three days of practice on their courts as well as take part in the preliminary matches on Friday, but I don't have money to facility all that.
"And I don't want to travel on the last minute as that would force me to compete without practice," a disappointed Gasigwa noted.
The $10,000 tournament starts on Monday, September 8- until 14.
The second leg will be played in Kigali from September 15-20 with Kampala hosting the third and final leg from September 21-28.
If Gasigwa fails to honor the Burundi ITF leg, he will still battle in the second leg due in Kigali.
Other Rwandans expected to spice up the second leg include second seed Dieudonne Habiyambere and third seed Olivier Nkunda.
Twenty nine countries from Africa, Europe and Asia are expected to take part in the second leg.
Netherlands born tennis star Matwe Middelkoop who won last year's edition in Kigali is expected return to defend his title.
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