36 Summer 2021 ITF World
DEVELOPMENT
CAMEROON
The biggest nation within the Central African part of
my region, but not just in terms of tennis culture and
activity but performance level also – Cameroon has
been the strongest country in this area for many years.
In the recent past they have staged two $25k men's
events, which underlines how strong a tennis country it
is and shows the level of competition Cameroon, as a
tennis nation, can attract.
There are many development programmes within
Cameroon, and they have managed to produce some
really good players. Anna Lorie Lemongo Toumbou is
ranked No. 251 in the girls' rankings and attends the
ITF/CAT African Development Centre in Casablanca.
The nation is also a frequent performer in Davis Cup,
with Cameroon featuring in the competition in three
out of four years up to and including 2019, while last
month they competed in the Africa Group IV event in
Congo.
Speaking of Davis Cup, competition legend Yannick
Noah, who is the son of former Cameroonian footballer
Zacharie Noah, returned to the country in March and
visited Oyebog Tennis Academy.
Oyebog Tennis Academy is a non-profit organisation
founded by former ATP doubles player Joseph Oyebog.
It serves underprivileged children and a video of kids
preparing to hit on a makeshift court, which was shared
extensively on social media, was so uplifting.
"
CONGO, DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC
A nation which has not produced too many
players in the realm of performance, but one which
has enormous potential.
It is a huge nation and another in the region which has
benefited through the ITF Facilities Grant Programme,
with Federation Congolaise Democratique de Lawn
Tennis now having access to three courts in Kinshasa,
the capital city.
Georges Koshi is a very active President, which is a
real positive, and tennis is there within the country and
evident in all 25 provinces, while there is a strong JTI
with around 500 kids enrolled.
At the beginning of the year, I held an online coaches
conference and there were 76 coaches from Congo,
Democratic Republic in attendance, which again
underlines the level of interest there is in the sport.
The only drawback is the lack of financial support
from the government, which explains why things are not
progressing as quickly as in some other nations in my
region. As I say, however, there is massive potential here
and we will continue to look for ways to maximise it.
"
"
Tennis is
evident in all
25 provinces
within Congo,
Democra c
Republic
Yannick Noah
returned to
Cameroon
earlier this year
"
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