KENYA'S Eric Kipkoech takes on Mohammed Omar from Burundi today in their first singles match in the ongoing Simba Cement Open International tennis tournament in Dar-es-Salaam.

Kipkoech, who is among six players from the Mombasa Sports Club, takes to the court after a game involving Tanzanians Samuel Harun and Melee Jackson.

Other players from Kenya are Fazal Mohamed Khan, Ibrahim Kibet Yego and Kevin Cheruiyot in the men's category and Shufaa Changawa and Diana Wamwene in women. The tournament, which is part of the Eastern Africa tennis calendar, brings together mostly players in the Under-18 category and ends next week at Gymkhana Club in Dar-es-Salaam. The event will also feature doubles, mixed doubles, veterans singles and wheelchair (singles/doubles).

Tanga Cement Company, who are the sponsors of the regional tournament, have set aside US$9,070 (Sh800,000) in prize money. The entry fees for the tournament that only allows those born before 1972 in the veteran category is US$10 (Sh840) for both men and women's singles. Doubles participants will pay Sh420 in entry fee.