Lugogo to host ITF Under-18s

By Norman Katende and Reuben Olita UGANDA Tennis Association (UTA) has secured Lugogo club courts as the venue for the second leg of the ITF U-18 East African Circuit that starts on Sunday. The tournament had been hit by lack of a venue, and, doubts about securing funding from the world governing body ITF due to lack of accountability by Uganda. Due to uncertainty in UTA, Kampala Club declined to host the regional meet, claiming they had other commitments. ITF regional development officer Karl Davies was taken to inspect Kampala club by UTA officials when he came to the country last month and was critical of the lack of accountability by the locals. UTA wrote to NCS last week requesting to use the Lugogo tennis courts. Lugogo club accepted the request and will start work on upgrading the courts. “We had to bail them out but their things were being done in a barbaric manner,” said NCS general secretary Abbey Lutaya over the letter. UTA chairman Peter Ntaki confirmed the development and said a number of committees have been appointed to see that the preparations for the tournament are done in the best manner. Over 25 countries currently competing in the first leg circuit in Nairobi, are expected to take part in the Kampala event. Meanwhile, Patrick Olobo and Daniel Ruyange will meet in today's semifinal of the ITF East African circuit, thus assuring Uganda at least 18th position. Olobo, Uganda's top junior player, beat local entrant Christian Vitulli 6-4, 6-2 in the quarter final while Ruyange got a walkover Eritrean Nathaeal Abdelmariam. Earlier, Ugandans had flopped in the main event. ends