Kenya’s national tennis team will commence residential training this week in preparation for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup Group 3 championship.
The tournament is set to kick off on June 12 at the Nairobi Club, and Tennis Kenya executive officer Nancy Nduku expressed the federation’s commitment to providing the team with the best chance of securing the automatic promotion slot.
To achieve this goal, Nduku emphasized the significance of a two-week residential camp in ensuring the team’s optimal preparation for the tournament.
She also highlighted the tournament’s importance as a pathway to the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers, making it a crucial opportunity for Kenya’s representation on the global stage.
With a 28-year hiatus since hosting the tournament in 1995 when it was known as the Fed Cup, Nduku expressed the federation’s delight in bringing the prestigious event back to the home of tennis, the Nairobi Club.
She further noted the excitement of hosting the matches in world-class facilities, showcasing Kenya’s dedication to creating a conducive environment for the sport.
The training sessions for Team Kenya will take place on the newly constructed world-class murram courts at the Nairobi Club. The club’s CEO, Walter Nyandiko, confirmed that the courts, which have been developed at a cost of Sh8m, will be in excellent condition by the time the tournament commences.
The Kenyan team, under the guidance of head coach Francis Rogoi, will be led by Wimbledon junior doubles champion Angela Okutoyi and her twin sister Rosehilda Asumwa.
They will be joined by Alicia Owegi and Cynthia Wanjala. As part of the reserve players, Stacy Yego and Melissa Mwakha have also been added to the team.
During the week-long tournament, Kenya will compete against a formidable lineup of teams, including Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, and Morocco.
The tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent and determination as the teams vie for success and advancement.
As Team Kenya enters the final stages of their training, the nation eagerly anticipates their performance and hopes for a successful campaign in the Billie Jean King Cup Group 3 championship on home soil.
