The upcoming second edition of the Ferdinard Omanyala tournament, scheduled for this Saturday at Nairobi Club, is poised to deliver a thrilling day of sports action.
In the previous year, the tournament was spearheaded by Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinard Omanyala in partnership with Angela Okutoyi, a double Wimbledon junior tennis champion. This collaborative effort saw the event attract over 120 enthusiastic young athletes.
Omanyala, who serves as the ambassador for the Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI), expressed his passion for such initiatives, underlining his strong desire to inspire the emerging generation of athletes.
He emphasized his overarching goal, which is to challenge the conventional notion that success is solely dependent on academic achievements. Omanyala shared his perspective, stating, “Success doesn’t always require academic excellence. When I reflect on my own achievements, it’s clear that the traditional belief doesn’t hold true. There are numerous hidden talents waiting to be discovered.”
The tournament will feature various age categories, including divisions for Under-six, Under-eight, and Under-10 participants. Omanyala’s motivation lies in his commitment to giving back to the community and nurturing authentic talent among children during their developmental years.
He further elaborated, saying, “My primary motivation is community-focused. It’s incredibly rewarding to support kids in this age group because they possess a genuine eagerness to learn, and it’s the ideal age to foster their talents.”
Omanyala also emphasized the significance of the Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI), a program initiated by the Kenya Tennis Federation (JTF) aimed at promoting inclusive participation. In his role as the ambassador for JTI Kenya, he aspires to inspire the next generation of tennis champions through this tournament.
Omanyala extended an invitation to everyone to join the event and create enduring, meaningful experiences. The entry fee for the tournament has been set at Sh1000.
