Tennis-Delpeche returns from challenging African circuit |16 December 2008

The youngster returned on Sunday after a three-week trip to the African continent where he competed on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) East African 18 and Under Junior circuit.

Delpeche’s first stop was in Bujumbura, Burundi, for the first competition from November 26-30. He lost 0-2 (1-6, 4-6) to Kenyan Klaus Tellar Murengu in the first round of the grade five tournament won by Nigerian Samuel Omoile with a 2-0 (6-3, 7-6 [2]) victory over Hassan Muricho of Burundi.

In the plate tournament involving first-round losers, Delpeche fell 0-2 (5-7, 6-7) to Ugandan John Uduke.
Delpeche and coach Steven Rideau-Mein then headed to Kampala, Uganda, for the next leg of the circuit, scheduled for December 2-6.

Drawn against Hassan NDayishimiye of Burundi in the first round, Delpeche lost 0-2 (1-6, 1-6). In the plate tournament, he beat John Uduke 2-0 (4-1, 4-2) and Justin of Tanzania 2-0 (4-2, 5-3) before losing 0-2 (1-4, 2-4) to Klaus of South Africa.
Ugandan top seed Duncan Mugabe triumphed 2-0 (7-6 [8], 6-4) over Zimbabwean Admire Mushonga in the final.

Tipped to be the next Seychelles number one player, Delpeche competed in a third and last tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, from December 8-12.

The 18-year-old faltered at the first hurdle against Kenyan Kevin Kisoso on a 0-2 (2-6, 2-6) score and did not compete in the plate tournament as he was not feeling well.

Zimbabwean Mushonga was the winner by a walkover over Turk Alp Golcuklu in the final.
Although it was not the best of results for Delpeche, competing on an international circuit was an opportunity for him to showcase his talent.

Reached by phone, Delpeche said: “Competing on the circuit was a challenge.”
“The players are very good and they are tough mentally. This is because they dedicate a large part of their lives to the game and train a lot, while I only train after school hours. I’m happy I competed and I look forward to another such exposure.”
Malagasy female player Niriantsa Rasolomalala won two ladies’ singles events in Bujumbura and Nairobi, while South African Kaylea Chana Sher triumphed in Kampala.

Other than representatives from East Africa, players from England, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Singapore, Iran, Zimbabwe and Madagascar, to name just a few, competed on the circuit.

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Winners of the Bujumbura circuit
Boys’ singles: Samuel Omoile (Nigeria)
Girls’ singles: Niriantsa Rasolomalala (Madagascar)
Boys’ doubles: Mushonga (Zimbabwe) / Omoile (Nigeria)
Girls’ doubles: Ebada (Egypt) / Rufyikiri (Burundi)

Winners of the Kampala circuit
Boys’ singles: Duncan Mugabe (Uganda)
Girls’ singles: Kaylea Chana Sher (South Africa)
Boys’ doubles: Mugabe (Uganda) / Mushonga (Zimbabwe)
Girls’ doubles: Rasolomalala (Madagascar) / Sher (South Africa)

Winners of the Nairobi circuit
Boys’ singles: Admire Mushonga (Zimbabwe)
Girls’ singles: Niriantsa Rasolomalala (Madagascar)
Boys’ doubles :  Mohammadi (IRI) / Souri (IRI)
Girls’ doubles: Rasolomalala (Madagascar) / Sher (South Africa)