Tennis Legend Okutoyi, Asumwa Given Karen Club Membership

Tennis stars Angella Okutoyi and Roselida Asumwa have joined Karen Country Club, the top-ranked country club in East and Central Africa.

In recognition of their achievements in the sport, the twins were each given a three-year membership worth Sh1,660,000 on Wednesday.

Individuals must pay Sh650,000 plus an annual subscription of Sh120,000 to join the club.

According to Karen Country Club General Manager Robert Onyango, the two will also receive Sh5,000 each for their food and drinks whenever they visit the facility, which has over 6,000 golfing and social members.

Tennis coaches from the club will also have the opportunity to interact with the girls’ coach and benefit from lessons to help them improve their coaching skills.

Okutoyi and Asumwa will also conduct clinics and coach young tennis players.

Okutoyi, who is headed to the US Open, expressed gratitude for the recognition.

“It’s a good opportunity for us because we can now access the gym and tennis courts as much as possible. I’m delighted because this is actually the first time to have a membership card in a club I haven’t been practicing a lot which is a good thing,” said Wimbledon Doubles champion.

Anjela Okutoyi returns a ball during the ITF World Tennis Tour U18 Championships at Nairobi Club 

Okutoyi is scheduled to fly to Canada on August 22 for the National Bank International Junior Tennis Championships in Repentigny from August 28 to September 3, followed by the US Open Junior Championships in New York.

The membership gives them full access to all of the Karen Country Club’s facilities, including, but not limited to, tennis courts, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and a walking range, among others.

Other attendees included Club chairman Allan Wainaina, who presented the twins with certificates and cards, Director Muema Muindi, tennis committee member Nicky Lynskey, and sports manager Kjellan Awuor.

Serena Hotels-Africa granted Okutoyi membership on July 19 last month. Serena Hotels-gift Africa’s voucher entitles her to a year’s membership at the prestigious Maisha Health and Spa at Nairobi Serena Hotel.

Just one day later, Okutoyi was offered Sh500,000 in financial support from software company VasPro to help her tennis career and fly the Kenyan flag high.

Kenya Airways also flew her first class from London to Kenya after her historic win at Wimbledon, where she partnered Rose Marie Nijkamp of the Netherlands.

Okutoyi is currently ranked 61st in the ITF junior rankings and first in Kenya and Africa.

Asumwa occupies position 2,043 on ITF rankings and fifth nationally. Okutoyi has a career-high of 1,501 in WTA Ranking.

This year, she has competed in 15 tournaments, including the Australian Open Juniors in Melbourne, the Roland Garros Juniors in France, and the Junior Championships at Wimbledon.