NAIROBI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- This year's Kenya Open Tennis Tournament has attracted players from three countries within the East African region, organizers disclosed on Saturday.

The event has been sponsored by Britam Insurance Company to the tune of 30,000 U.S. dollars with a total prize money 13,500 dollars for the seniors and trophies and medals for the juniors.

Rose Wanjala, the tournament director for the event which will run between Sept. 15-22 in Nairobi, said that four players from Burundi, one player each from Tanzania and Uganda, will join their Kenyan counterparts to vie for the top honors.

"The event will be preceded by the junior tournament which started today (Saturday) and ends on Sunday for players between six years and 18 years," Wanjala said.

Defending men's senior champion, Duncan Mugabe has confirmed participation in the competition that he has won several times in the past and so is Ismael Changawa, Kenya's top seeded player.

Last year's ladies' winner, Natalie Coronel of Argentina has not confirmed participation.

The winner in the men's category will carry home 900 dollars whereas his female counterpart will walk away with 800 dollars, with the men's and ladies' runners-up pocketing 500 dollars and 450 dollars respectively. Enditem