ITF

28 ITFWorld // SPRING 2019 D E V E L O P M E N T Massive strides have been made in growing participation rates throughout Kenya and that progress is evident across all age groups – male or female – and playing standards. In junior tennis currently, 5,000 children pick up a racquet at least once a week and that is a direct consequence of the JTI programme. But more than just participation, the JTI has played a pivotal role in developing young players and identifying those with talent who should progress to a high- performance environment. While the JTI has benefited players and nations throughout the east and central Africa region, Kenya is at the forefront and is the strongest nation in terms of the JTI project and its founding principles. Angela Okutoyi and Derrick Ominde, for instance, have been selected to join the East Africa Training Centre in Nairobi, while Baraka Ominde, Virani Raqeem and Samson Mutua were members of the Kenya side crowned East Africa 12-and-under team champions this year. All five players came through the JTI programme. However, as much as the initiative has achieved, challenges remain. The education system in Kenya does not encourage sport as much as it might, with the emphasis very much on academic studies. As a result, children tend to quit tennis at an early age. Very few of those that continue to play the sport come from a privileged background, so, historically, basics like equipment, access to courts and coaches have been a challenge. But, as a direct result of the JTI, a greater proportion of players are getting access to courts, especially those who progress, develop and are invited to join the national programme. In Kenya more than anywhere else in my region, the JTI has also encouraged more private schools to build tennis courts, while a knock-on effect is that more coaches are getting work opportunities and earning a living. In turn, this has increased the desire of coaches to upskill and improve their levels of expertise, which has enhanced the volume of qualified coaches across the board. There is such a focused and structured approach now to coaching talented players in Kenya. ■ KENYA Thierry Ntwali ITF Development Officer, East and Central Africa JTI in Kenya – Key stats and facts from 2018 • 6,196 (45% girls) children were introduced to tennis, with a cumulative total of 6,601 (57% boys) competition entries • 55 primary schools and 22 tennis clubs provided playing opportunities • 84 deliverers were involved in the provision of tennis sessions • 5 girls introduced to tennis through the JTI with an ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Ranking (since 2013)

• Cover