Monrovia – In a country where football dominates youth sports, 11-year-old Zuri Shannon is using tennis to chart a new path for underprivileged children. On Saturday, May 31, she officially launched Zuri’s Tennis Foundation with the debut of Zuri’s Tennis Classic at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Tennis Court in Paynesville.
By Christopher C. Walker (0777898224 [email protected])
The youth tournament brought together 16 young players, with an equal number of boys and girls under the age of 14. They competed not just for trophies but for tuition support and the chance to pursue a better future through sport.
Zuri, a grade school student with a growing passion for tennis, created the foundation to make the sport accessible to children from low-income backgrounds.
Her motivation comes from recognizing how rare opportunities are in tennis, especially when most Liberian children are only exposed to football. Her mother, Cllr. Idella Cooper, explained that Zuri constantly talks about tennis with her friends and wants other kids to experience a sport they rarely see or play.
Zuri’s Tennis Foundation aims to connect sports with education and discipline, empowering young people through structured opportunities. The tournament, her foundation’s first major event, highlighted just how impactful such efforts can be.
Despite shared equipment, mismatched sneakers, and minimal resources, the players brought incredible passion and determination to the court. For many, it was their first time competing in an organized tennis event or even stepping onto a proper tennis court.
Coach Alfred Kandakai described the atmosphere as electric, emphasizing the pride and sense of purpose the children displayed during the matches.
At the close of the tournament, four young champions received not only trophies and medals but tuition support as part of the foundation’s commitment to education.
In the boys’ under-14 category, Benjamin Kandakai secured first place and was awarded a US$150 tuition grant along with a trophy. Zandra Panagar Kawah finished in second place and received a US$75 tuition grant and a medal. In the girls’ under-14 category, Favor Gbana took first place with the same prize as the boys’ champion, while the second-place winner, whose name was not disclosed, received a US$75 tuition grant and a medal.
Cllr. Cooper expressed pride in her daughter’s leadership, noting that although she had helped organize youth tournaments in the past, this event was fully driven by Zuri’s vision and initiative.
Looking ahead, the foundation plans to expand access to tennis in underserved communities by organizing more youth tournaments tied to educational rewards. It also aims to distribute tennis equipment, including rackets and sneakers, to children who might otherwise never get the chance to play.
Zuri’s Tennis Foundation is not just about competition. It is a platform built on empowerment, discipline, and opportunity. While still in its early stages, the foundation is already being recognized for its unique approach to blending sports with education and creating space for youth development outside of football.
“We’re just getting started,” said Cllr. Cooper. “This is more than tennis. It’s about giving kids the tools they need to succeed—on and off the court.”
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