Demystifying Lawn Tennis In Kenya (2)

I got quite some feedback when I wrote about how affordable tennis lessons could be in Kenya, specifically In Mombasa.

Most people insisted that it’s still an expensive sport to partake in this country and that the majority cannot afford it.

Don’t get me wrong, I love me some kenyans. We are the best at everything, especially whatever we put our minds to doing. Which is why I would love for everyone to be open-minded to new things. I cannot fathom for the love of me why we choose to stick to whatever we believe we know even when all evidence is presented to the contrary. I have played the sport in both leading cities – Nairobi and Mombasa- and I assure you that you don’t have to rob a bank or break an arm (pun intended) to learn how to play it…or even introduce your child to it.

I believe in introducing your child to at least one or more (the more the better) sport from an early age. A sport would be the ultimate goal, and letting them learn an art works even better.

coach Benedict doing what he does best

Future tennis stars doing their thing

How empowering is it to leave your child with a skill, a sport, just anything so that in a world that is becoming extremely difficult to land quality jobs, they can resort to different ways of earning a living.

It’s never too late to start, truly.

A famous footballer once said that hardwork beats talent. To quote him, “genius is 99% hardwork and 1% talent.” Personally I feel like this is where the western developed world defeats us hands down. They begin early. 2,3,4 years and train consistently. At the end of the day it’s all about consistency, something most of us lack. Yes I agree that a big % of everything is about funds but it really doesn’t have to be.

I usually train at Portland’s Club in Athiriver. I have a really patient coach by the Name Benedict Mulei and best believe when I tell you I don’t have to rob a bank to be able to afford him. Mulei can come to you and the court of your choice….for those who would feel like Athiriver is too far. He also trains at the service public courts in town. What’s more, you don’t have to buy racquets and all. Just show up dressed In sports attire and a good pair of tennis shoes. He’ll come with the balls (pun off.)

Benedict here with one of the kids he coaches that is already doing well in the junior tournaments.

Those who have played lawn tennis in Kenya know that most courts are “clay” courts. Not quite the Roland Garros kinda clay court, but more of a murram field. This could be an advantage sometimes compared to the hard courts that do something to your knees over prolonged periods of time, but how amazing would it be if the government came through and tried to maintain these courts and put them at par with other world class facilities handling the same.

A typical clay court in Nairobi

Kenya has the potential to host African/ intercontinental tennis tournaments and create revenue. The story is similar across all the other sports. Football, swimming, basketball, you name it. Rugby. Nairobi, a beautiful city by any standards…..but a city that cannot boast of a single world class stadium.

We could support upcoming talents by maintaining these available facilities but I guess as an individual sport, the ball is in your court – literally – and it’s entirely up to you.

Story for another day, that one. Today, we are here to talk about tennis and help, you that admires the game but has no idea where to start because of all the misconceptions that fly around.

Christabel, one of the few female players who took interest in the game as an adult. She trains at Portland.

Mulei has some really amazing offers. He is super affordable and gives discounts on one off payments. He offers individual training, group training for children and adults too. It’s never too late to learn a sport you know.