Wheelchair Tennis has been described as one of the fastest growing sports in Africa.

In an interview on Saturday with Xinhua during the ongoing BNP Paribas Africa Qualifying Wheelchair Tennis Championships currently taking place in Nairobi, International Tennis Federation (ITF) representative to the event Suzie Dyrbus, said that with the entry of Cameroon this year, the number of countries playing the game in Africa has sprung to ten.

"That the level of play is continually increasing can be lent credence by the fact that during the London 2012 Paralympic Games, 4 nations from Africa took part in the event where they registered positive results," Dyrbus said.

Eight nations and a total of 29 players are taking part in the event whose winners will represent Africa during the world championships scheduled for May in Turkey.

The countries are hosts Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Gambia, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria and Mauritius.

During today's qualifying rounds in the men's category, Jude Uwazie from Nigeria beat Ghana's Emmanuel Boateng (6-0; 6-1) whereas Wasin Yusuf also of Nigeria won against Atsu Macklean from Ghana by the same scores.

Temba Emmanuel Novatus from Tanzania beat Edwin Murua of Kenya (4-6; 6-4; 6-3) to carry the day.

In the women's category, Kenya's Jane Ndengi beat Neama Nouh (7-6; 1-6; 6-3) while South Africa's Thando Hlatshwayo won over Seleman Rehema of Tanzania (6-0; 6-1).

Mustafa Bihawa of Tanzania lost to Mable Mankgela from South Africa (0-6; 1-6) to give the southern African dominance over their east African counterparts.

Wheelchair tennis was first played in 1976 and is played under the same rules as that of able-bodies people with the difference being that two bounces of the ball are allowed unlike in the latter where only one bounce is permitted.

Players use a special type of wheelchair whose wheels slant at an angle for maximum stability. Each costs approximately 250 U.S. dollars including shipping charges.

The event's physiotherapist Philomena Minoo said that so far no cases of injuries have been reported and was optimistic that few, if any will come to the fore.

"These are experienced players who are up to the game and therefore we don't expect major cases, though we have to be on standby just in case of any eventualities."

The event ends Sunday during which the continental representatives will be named. Endi

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