By KPC Sports Reporter
Tennis Kenya has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with the French Tennis Federation (FFT).
The collaboration promises to transform the country’s tennis landscape and open new international pathways for players, coaches, officials, and clubs.
The agreement, supported by the Embassy of France in Kenya, reflects the government’s wider priorities of youth empowerment, sports excellence, and global cooperation.
“This collaboration marks a turning point for Kenyan tennis, expanding opportunities for players, clubs, coaches and officials while positioning Kenya as a growing hub for international tennis development in Africa,” Tennis Kenya said in its announcement.
The partnership will unfold through a series of initiatives across 2026, ranging from junior player exchanges and high-performance training in France to technical programmes on clay court infrastructure at Roland-Garros.
Kenyan referees will also gain international exposure through internships in French tournaments, while French experts are set to deliver coaching seminars in Kenya later in the year.
Leadership exchanges between the two federations will culminate in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Paris this May, establishing a long-term framework for cooperation.
The first delegations under the programme are already preparing to travel.
National Under-16 champion Jeff Okuku, ranked number one in Kenya and fresh from victory at the ITF/CAT Zonal Championships, will join fellow junior Aum Chandarana, ranked number two, for training and competition at Istres Tennis Club in France.
“This trip to Istres is a major step in my development, giving me valuable exposure to a high-level European training environment and competition on clay,” Okuku said.
Chandarana echoed the excitement, noting that the experience would sharpen his tactical awareness and movement.
Meanwhile, a second delegation of Kenyan officials and club leaders will head to Paris for the clay court infrastructure exchange, learning directly from the teams responsible for preparing the iconic Roland-Garros courts.
Tennis Kenya expressed gratitude to the FFT, Istres Tennis Club, and sponsors including 254 Racquet Club and PetStore Kenya for their support.
The federation is confident that the partnership will not only elevate Kenyan tennis but also strengthen the country’s role in Africa’s growing international tennis scene.