Tennis Open-Kenya - Real Insurance have forked out Sh1.2m towards next week's Kenya Open tennis Championship at the Nairobi Club. The men's winner will pocket Sh85,000while the top woman will go home with Sh75,000.The total prize money for the event will be Sh750,000. Reigning champion Duncan Mugabe is expected to defend his title while Burundi's Jean Claude Gasigwa is expected to feature in the event.

Kenya's quest for the title is expected to be led by Ishamael Changawa, Gibrael Teja, Gilbert Kibet and Yash Rawal in the men's category. In the women's category will feature Michelle Onyancha, Shufaa Changawa and Damaris Musera.

Real Insurance chief executive officer Joseph Kiuna said his company was delighted to sponsor the event. He said his company has signed a three-year contract with Kenya Lawn Tennis Association for the event. "We have signed a three-year contract with the KLTA and it's renewable. We are looking forward to seeing a competitive tournament with local and international players fighting it out to be crowned champions," added Kiuna.

Kenya Lawn Tennis Association (KLTA) chairman Patrick Gichira welcomed Real Insurance and said the sport had received a major shot in the arm. " We are delighted to have new partners in the Real Insurance who have come on board and we look forward to having strong partnership with them now and in the future" noted Gichira. The event has attracted players from Burundi, Egypt, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania.

William Njuguna

Nairobi Star/04/03/2011