Switzerland-based tennis players Shufaa Changawa and Faith Urasa showcased their brilliance on the court, clinching a silver medal in the women’s doubles event at the Africa Youth Games in Hammamet, Tunisia.
The final day of the tournament on Friday witnessed their impressive performance as they defeated the home duo of Manel Loudhabachi and Sarah Louati in straight sets of 6-4, 6-2 to secure a medal for Team Kenya.
Changawa, known for her tennis prowess as part of the renowned ‘Changawa siblings,’ displayed her experience, while the ambitious 16-year-old Urasa showcased her agility and swift footwork.
Despite the challenging circumstances with the crowd against them, the duo remained focused and worked hard from the outset, leading to their well-deserved victory.
Expressing their joy, Changawa, who is based in Switzerland, stated, “We are really delighted, especially considering the tough competition and the opposition from the crowd. We motivated ourselves and gave our best right from the start.” She further added, “We are particularly thrilled because we didn’t have extensive training together, but with each match, our chemistry improved. By the time we played the bronze medal match, our understanding of each other was excellent.”
Urasa, at the age of 16, expressed her delight in winning her first-ever international medal for Kenya. She said, “I am incredibly happy because this is our first time participating in these Games, and we managed to secure a medal. It has provided us with immense motivation and serves as an indication that with more training, we can aim for the gold in the future.”
The Kenyan duo competed in the bronze medal match after a closely fought contest against Sophie Catherine Alleaume and Marie Claude Francoise Mauritius, where they lost 2-1 (6-3, 3-6, 10-8) on Thursday.
Their journey included a remarkable comeback victory against Morocco’s Safaa Bahmann and Inas Ziki, overcoming a set deficit to win 2-1 (6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3). This triumph propelled them to the medal round, where they demonstrated their resilience and skill.
The impressive performance of the doubles team of Shufaa Changawa and Faith Urasa highlights their potential and contributes to the growth of Kenyan tennis on the international stage.
