Gasigwa battles for ITF’s cash

Rwanda’s tennis star Jean Claude Gasigwa is  the among sixty-four semi-professional players battling for prize cash of  $ 4000(Frw. 2.2 millions) in the ITF/CAT Money Circuit which kicked off yesterday at Lugogo, Kampala.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Rwanda’s tennis star Jean Claude Gasigwa is  the among sixty-four semi-professional players battling for prize cash of  $ 4000(Frw. 2.2 millions) in the ITF/CAT Money Circuit which kicked off yesterday at Lugogo, Kampala.

Gasigwa, who left for Kampala mid this week, won the first leg held in Kigali last week and is among the top tennis stars to watch at the three-day International tennis Federation (ITF) sponsored tournament.

Gasigwa claimed his first victory of the ITF/CAT money circuit after defeating Kenyan born Francis Rogoi in straight sets 6-2, 6-1.

However, Gasigwa will be looking to make amends in the doubles category after losing to Martin Dzuwa and Francis Rogoi in the final.

Other notable players to watch include losing first leg finalist Martin Dzuwa and Gwinyai Tongoona from Zimbabwe.

Uganda has fielded Herbert Buyinza, John Oyet, Christopher Baagala and Ronald Ssemanda.

The men and women’s singles has attracted 32 entrants each. After the Kampala leg, players will head to Nairobi for the third and final leg.

Meanwhile, financial constraints have forced local female tennis players to participate in the second leg of the ITF money circuit in Kampala.

Ends