Former Rwandan tennis participant Mathieu Uwizeyimana has turned to teaching and launched a grassroots improvement programme geared toward nurturing the following era of tennis gamers in Rwanda.
The programme, named Matayo Tennis Initiative, is predicated at Cercle Sportif de Kigali and focuses on creating younger gamers within the under-8, under-12 and under-18 classes.
Uwizeyimana, the brother of Rwanda’s present No.1 tennis participant Étienne Niyigena, performed tennis at skilled stage from 2004 till his retirement in 2020.
The concept of creating a tennis improvement programme first got here to his thoughts in 2024 when he met Canadian-Togolese tennis coach Abdou Samadou Aliassime in Lomé, Togo.
Aliassime is the daddy and coach of world No.4 Félix Auger-Aliassime and runs the Académie Aliassime tennis academy in Quebec, Canada.
The pair have been launched by Daniel Pelletier, a Canadian dwelling in Rwanda.
Having began taking part in tennis comparatively late earlier than happening to characterize Rwanda at worldwide competitions, Uwizeyimana stated launching the initiative fulfils a long-held ambition to offer younger gamers alternatives he didn’t have rising up.
“I began taking part in tennis late, however I had the prospect to play and even characterize my nation at worldwide competitions. My dream of grooming future tennis gamers grew to become extra lifelike after I had the chance to fulfill Aliassime,” Uwizeyimana informed Occasions Sport.
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He stated Aliassime instantly confirmed curiosity in supporting the undertaking.
“After a brief dialog, he grew to become all for supporting us by offering gear. With Cercle Sportif de Kigali additionally giving us house to coach, I imagine it’s now time to make this dream occur.”
Aliassime has since supported the initiative with sportswear and tennis rackets.
Uwizeyimana, who’s now a tennis coach, stated the long-term purpose is to establish and develop proficient children able to competing on the highest stage.
He added that distinctive gamers who show vital potential might have alternatives to pursue scholarships in Canada via the partnership with Aliassime.
The Matayo Tennis Initiative at the moment has 60 girls and boys enrolled and started operations in January.
Former gamers urged to offer again
Uwizeyimana is the newest former Rwandan participant to ascertain a tennis improvement initiative, following within the footsteps of former nationwide ladies’s No.1 Joseline Umulisa.
Rwanda Tennis Federation president Théoneste Karenzi welcomed the initiative, saying former gamers have an necessary function to play in giving again to the game and contributing to its future improvement.
Karenzi stated the Matayo Tennis Initiative enhances the federation’s personal efforts to increase tennis at grassroots stage.
“Our duty is to develop tennis. It’s subsequently a joyful second to witness certainly one of our former gamers, Uwizeyimana, launching such an initiative as a result of it is going to contribute to our improvement programmes,” Karenzi stated.
“We are going to give him our full assist.”
The federation can be making ready further tennis improvement tasks and has recognized six websites the place new programmes are anticipated to be carried out.
Karenzi inspired different former gamers and legends of the game to comply with Uwizeyimana’s instance by giving again, sharing their data and serving to information youthful generations.
