Dar Es Salaam — East Africa's top seed Ugandan Duncan Mugabe won 6-0 and 6-0, to cruise to the next stage as the fifth edition of Simba Cement International Open Tennis Tournament kicked off in Dar es Salaam yesterday, amid chaos from local athletes.

The mid morning kick-off was delayed for three hours following a threat of withdrawal from Tanzanian players, who renewed their longstanding revolt against the national association's top brass.

Mugabe faces Arusha based Steven Charles who came from one set down, and fought bravely against compatriot Karim 'Benzema' to win 3-6, 6-4 and 7-5. Ageing legendary prize fighter Sebastian Mtupili won 6-1 and 6-2 against Seif Salele, and today plays Boaz Mwakyusa who beat Peter Kihara 6-1 and 6-2.

Local top seed Abdalah Omary was on top of his form when he cruised past compatriot Hamza Said 6-3 and 6-3, to book a place against Nairobi based Tanzanian Kiango Kipingu. The four-day money spinning event will see the winner pocket USD 1,000.

Apparently, no Tanzanian has ever won the top prize, and are always left in the sidelines and cheering from the stands. This was the second time in two weeks when local players rebel against an international event.

Last week, the boxing federation was brought to its knees when host athletes disappeared unceremoniously during the recently concluded East African Amateur boxing event at the DDC Mlimani Hall, leaving the ring to visiting boxers.

Pleas from the Tanzania Tennis Association's Secretary General, Inger Njau, fell on deaf ears when the name of assistant tournament referee Boaz Mwakyusa came under scrutiny with some saying, he was not a Tanzanian but a Zambian.

On top of the revolt was Fowad Somi, a beleaguered tournament official, who accused the association of over delayed election of association leaders, saying he was the right person to fill the top official post. Somi demanded an explanation as to why he was left out while the association brought the inexperienced Boaz, with a confused Inger Njau lost for words not knowing what to say.

And as the catastrophic and untimely drama developed, Tanzanian players rallied behind Somi demanding prompt answers, saying they wouldn't take part in the event until all their questions were answered. Somi said: "I feel neglected.

My ITF (International Tennis Federation) Officiating course is going unused. I am the most experienced official to undertake a tournament of such a big magnitude. First of all, Boaz is a Zambian and knows nothing about local tennis."

A stunned Boaz came forward in defence saying: "Look here guys, I was born in Tukuyu and raised in Zambia where my parents worked. Your accusations do not hold any water. In any case, I was asked to assist the head official, Salum Mvita, because we are all working on one agenda of tennis development."

It took a wise intervention of Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club leadership that called the local players to a negotiating table and asked them to compete while their grievances were being addressed.