The Malian Tennis Federation organized from August 31 to September 3, at the Bamako Tennis Club, the 7th edition of the Malian Tennis Federation Cup. At the end of the “men’s singles” final, Ibrahima Kouma won the trophy by beating the reigning Malian champion, Abdoulaye Bagayoko in 7 sets to 5.
The final of “just gentlemen” was chaired by Amadou Togola, President of the Malian Tennis Federation, in the presence of Ibrahim Doucouré, President of the Bamako District Tennis League and many lovers of the little green ball. The 7th edition of the Malian Tennis Federation Cup brought together 32 athletes including 8 ladies from the district of Bamako and the Mopti region. The athletes competed in men’s and women’s singles and doubles.
After four days of competition, the final of the “just gentlemen” pitted Ibrahima Kouma against Abdoulaye Bagayoko, defending champion of Mali. The “ladies’ singles” final pitted Aïchata Kéita against Kadiatou Dabo. This final kept all its promises, because the two players gave the public a very great tennis match. Finally, it was Ibrahima Kouma who won against Abdoulaye Bagayoko, defending champion of Mali in 7 sets to 5. With this victory, young Ibrahima Kouma won his first major tennis title. Previously, the final “simple dames” was played and it was the player Aïchata Kéita who won at the expense of Kadiatou Dabo in 2 sets to 0 (6-to and 6-4).
The winner of the tournament, Ibrahima Kouma, received from the hands of the president of the Malian Tennis Federation, the trophy plus an envelope of 200,000 CFA francs. While the loser, Abdoulaye Bagayoko, received an envelope of 100,000 CFA francs.
Among the ladies, the winner, Aïchata Kéita, received from the hands of the president of the Bamako District Tennis League, the trophy plus an envelope of 100,000 CFA francs. An envelope of 50,000 CFA francs was given to the winner of the women’s final, Kadiatou Dabo.
At the end of the competition, Amadou Togola, President of the Malian Tennis Federation said he was very happy with the organization of this tournament. “I am a very happy president this afternoon because we have just witnessed a very good final. We saw a high level final which was sanctioned by the victory of the youngest Ibrahima Kouma and that gives hope for the future. As I speak to you, our tennis player Coumba Ben Niangadou is currently on the plane between Accra and Mauritius. She has just participated in two major tournaments in Ghana where she won two world matches. I am sure that the hope of Malian tennis comes from this player of only 17 years old”, he greeted.
Mahamadou Traore
