ATP Challenger 50 Tour kicks off in Rwanda

KIGALI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The ATP Challenger 50 Tour commenced on Monday at the IPRC-Kigali Ecology Tennis Club in the Rwandan capital, Kigali.

Running from February 26 to March 10, the event makes Rwanda the first country in sub-saharan Africa to host international tennis of such caliber.

"I encourage all Rwandans to participate in the Rwanda Challenger, an ATP Challenger Tour, and experience the skills of top tennis professionals, elevating the spirit of competition. It's more than just a tour; it's your opportunity to witness the greatness of sport in Rwanda," said Aurore Mimosa, Rwandan minister of Sports, during the official opening of the event.

Speaking at the event, Eric Lamquet, director at ATP Challenger Tour, said that the decision to bring the Challenger 50 Tour to Rwanda is based not only on the country's reputation for stability and security but also on its positioning as a sports hub.

This move aligns with the ATP Challenger Tour's initiative to bring the sport closer to the tennis community, he added.

Theoneste Karenzi, president of the Rwanda Tennis Federation, said that hosting the event is a valuable opportunity for local players to showcase their talent on an international platform.

According to Karenzi, the event is expected to attract about 65 players ranked between 150 and 300 from various parts of the world who will compete in Kigali for valuable ATP ranking points in addition to the prize money. ■