NAIROBI, Kenya, May 17 (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka’s teenage tennis star Ganuka Fernando created history by winning the Boys’ Singles title at the J30 Nairobi ITF Tournament in Kenya, becoming the first Sri Lankan boy to win an overseas ITF junior tournament title in 13 years. The 16-year-old St. Peter’s College student defeated Britain’s Haqim Kamal in straight sets 7-5, 6-3 in the final to complete a memorable campaign in Nairobi.
Fernando’s achievement ended a long wait for Sri Lankan junior tennis after Shamal Dissanayake last won an overseas ITF junior title in 2013. The young Sri Lankan displayed remarkable composure and maturity throughout the tournament and proved his growing potential on the international stage.
Fernando, who is trained by coach Dinith Pathiraja, produced another dominant performance in the semi-final where he outclassed India’s Shaurya Bhardwaj 6-3, 6-1 to storm into the title clash.
Sri Lanka also enjoyed another major success at the tournament through Saha Kapilasena, who reached the Boys’ Singles semi-final before losing to eventual finalist Kamal in a hard-fought three-set encounter. Kapilasena fought back strongly after losing the first set but eventually went down 1-6, 6-2, 3-6.
Fernando and Kapilasena also reached the Doubles final together, underlining a highly successful tournament for Sri Lankan junior tennis in Kenya. Their performances highlighted the country’s growing strength in the junior international circuit.
Fernando’s success has also come through strong personal sacrifice and support from his coaching team. He receives racket sponsorship from Tecnifibre Sri Lanka while his clothing sponsors are SES Engineering Pvt Ltd and Cavani Clothing Pvt Ltd.
However, all other tournament expenses including air tickets, hotel accommodation, entry fees, local transport and meals were fully borne by his coach Pathiraja, whose commitment played a key role in Fernando’s historic breakthrough.
