TENNIS – Yousif Kamal has made history after becoming the first-ever Bahraini player to win a title in an Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) youth tournament.
This was confirmed by the Bahrain Tennis Federation (BTF), after Yousif secured the boys’ singles crown in the ATF Bahrain 14 and Under Championship 2026, played at the BTF hard courts in Isa Town.
Third-seeded Yousif secured his title after upsetting top seed Elyas Algafli from Saudi Arabia 6-2, 6-2 in their division final.
On the distaff, Rajeswari Rachabattuni from India lived up to her billing as number one seed by taking the girls’ singles crown.
She outplayed fifth seed Talya Al Busaidi of Oman 6-0, 6-0 in their title-decider.
Meanwhile, Elyas and Jordan’s Omar Hashem won the boys’ doubles after beating Bahrain’s Yousif and Kuwaiti partner Mohammad Mohammad 6-2, 6-4 in their final.
In the girls’ doubles, Chinemerem Uzokwe from the US and Uchechukwu Uzokwe from Nigeria were crowned champions after defeating Bahrain’s Noor Albunni and Saudi’s Sama Albakr 6-0, 6-1 in their final.
Shaikh Abdulaziz, right, and Al Rowaie with the singles winners and runners-up
At the end of action, the winners of the various categories were presented their respective trophies and medals by BTF president Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, BTF secretary general Fuad Al Rowaie, and the championship’s general referee Ahmed Al Hawaj.
Shaikh Abdulaziz expressed his great pride in Yousif’s historic victory, which he emphasised is the fruit of the youngster’s hard work and commitment to training.
He commended Yousif’s high performance level in the tournament.
Following the completion of the event, a second ATF Bahrain 14 and Under Championship 2026 is scheduled to take place, also at the BTF this week.
It will be followed by a pair of ATF Bahrain 16 and Under Championships – first from October 24 to 30 and then again from October 31 to November 6.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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