NAIROBI, Kenya, March 26- A body targeting the development of young tennis players countrywide saw a new management team put in place following elections over the weekend in Kisumu.
The Kenya Tennis Network (KTN) held its Annual General Meeting with new officials ascending to top office with SOYA Awards Community Hero nominee Collins Agwanda elected unopposed as the President.
Johannes Okumu assumed the role of Secretary and Tom Amwanzo as the Treasurer with Linah Achieng’ as Coordinator and Maureen Akhama who will be the Membership Coordinator completing the line-up.
Speaking after the election Okumu said KTN should not be viewed as a rival tennis body in Kenya.
“Our major aim is to ensure that children who aspire to play tennis across 47 Counties get the opportunity,” he added.
He further stated that the body would strive to spread the game of tennis outside the cities of Nairobi and Mombasa where it has been localised in the past.
“We want to ensure children in Samburu, Turkana, Garissa, Mandera, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Siaya, Homa Bay, Bungoma and many more get the opportunity to play the game,” he stressed.
Speaking to Capital Sport, Commissioner for Sport, Gordon Oluoch, welcomed formation of any body aimed at promoting local sport as long as it does not conflict with the legally recognised federation.
“There is room for those interested in building sport in the country and they will be accommodated as long as they are run within the confines of the provisions of the Sport Act,” he added.
Former Kenya tennis players based in America lauded the new body pledging they are ready to mobilise resources and help spread the game to all parts of the country.
Led by Julius Kosgey and Philip Odipo both based at Massachusetts State, they challenge children and youths across Kenya to take tennis seriously.
KTN was established charitable organization aimed at taking tennis across 47 counties in Kenya.
The organization has members from schools, clubs, programmes, academies, universities and corporate bodies.
