Team Kenya are confident of winning the East Africa Under 12 championships slated to start on Wednesday in Kigali, Rwanda.
The six-man team will be up against hosts Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Sudan in the five-day championships.
Team captain Rosemary Owino expressed confidence that both the boys' and girls' teams will do the country proud after a month of intense training.
"We have had a good build-up at the Nairobi Club. We know it's going to be very competitive but both boys and girls are relishing the challenge," said Owino.
The boys' team of Jeff Okuku, Ayaan Quadros and Ainsley Elavuna will be seeking to make amends after finishing third last year in Dar es Salaam. Selina Ahoya, Nancy Kawira and Natasha Akoth will feature in the girls' team as they seek to retain the title they won last year.
The six were picked during the national championships held last week at the Nairobi Club.
Owino expects competition from Rwanda and Uganda in the round-robin format contest. "The two countries pushed us very hard last year and they will be aiming to beat us this time around."
"The surface we will play on in Kigali is similar to what we will have here in Nairobi and therefore we do not expect trouble at all.
She added: "I hope our players can get an opportunity to play against their peers from North Africa, West Africa and Southern Africa. This will be ideal preparation for their careers going forward."
