Across the fence from the main tournament venue for the International Tennis Federation (ITF) East African Junior Circuit, the Kenyan team is busy plotting its assault on the team title.
The team has been in camp since October - and morale is high as they kick into final gear with the last few days of training before the competition begins at the Nairobi Club on Sunday.
At Public Service Club, a few paces from Nairobi Club, the team has been making last minute preparations under coaches Caroline Oduor and Veronica Osogo.
Leaving nothing to chance, Tennis Kenya have also sought the services of long time coach Rosemary Owino whose base is the University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Owino has joined the coaching team on this final stretch to D-Day and her invaluable experience from training juniors will definitely add to the team’s arsenal in their quest to keep the Team title in the host nation’s trophy cabinet.
The team comprises players from three junior categories – the 12 and Under, 14 and Under and the premier event, the 16 and Under.
Being the hosts, Kenya have the added advantage of fielding a “B” team in the same categories for both boys and girls.
Each age group will feature the two top players from the eight countries expected– Comoros, Seychelles, Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Sudan.
Kenya’s 16 and Under team will be led by Sheil Kotecha, recently back from Spain with coach Rosemary Owino. Kotecha’s main challenger is expected to come from Team Burundi. Kotecha will have Albert Njogu as team mate. The rest of the Kenyan contingent includes Ryan Randiek and Charles Ochieng in the 14 and under and Kael Shah and Dhruv Kavia in the 12 and Under.
In the girls category, the 16 and under team of Faith Nyabera and Esther Wahome will have their work cut out against overwhelming favourites Sada Nahimana from Burundi. Sheil’s younger sister Sneha Kotecha will have Angela Okutoyi as team mate in the 14 and under event. Okutoyi will pit her wits against Hoziane Kitambala with a further challenge expected from the more experienced Aisha Niyonkuru from Burundi. Okutoyi’s sister Rosemary Asumwa and Alicia Owegi will hold the line in the Girls 12 and Under category.
Kenya’s “B” team will line up as follows; Kazungu Ali and Suhail Hooker (Boys 16 and under), Karisa Hassani and Derick Ominde (Boys 14 and under) and Raymond Riziki and Brandon Sagala (12 and under). The Girls “B” team has Natalya Mburu and Charity Ayub (16 and under) with Vanessa Egessa and Shania Gadhia in the (12 and under) events.