Your Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is sharp, but is known to have slow focus. Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 is supposedly faster in focus. But to really solve this problem, you need Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, which is slightly over $1000. If you want to solve this slow AF problem in the Nikon way, it will cost you $1300 for the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 (without VR).
For performance photography, you should get Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS for close to $2k (Nikon version is even more), or to save some money, Sigma's equivalant. Or you can consider prime lenses, such as Canon 85mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2, 135mm f/2.