Jane Ndenga will spearhead Team Kenya's charge at the Wheelchair Tennis World Team Cup African qualifier slated for February 7-11 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The tournament will act as a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games planned for August 28 to September 8.
As part of their preparations, the team will also take part in the Wheelchair International Open, an ITF ranking Futures event scheduled from February 3- 6 in Abuja.
This will provide an excellent opportunity for players to warm up and earn valuable ITF ranking points ahead of the main event. This event marks Kenya's 13th consecutive participation in the World Team Cup.
The women's team has successfully qualified three times for the World Team Cup, where top player Jane Ndenga has participated in the event since 2012.
Michelle Chepngetich and John Wambua will be making their debut this year.
Ndenga, who is Kenya's top-ranked player, serves as the wheelchair representative on the TK board and is an elected member of the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Players Council for the next two years.
Currently ranked 88, Ndenga said she is highly motivated to qualify for the Paralympic Games.
“It will be a tall order but I, and the rest of the team are highly motivated to do the country proud in Abuja, Nigeria," he noted.
The squad has been training at the revamped Nairobi Club courts and Ndenga said the surface will be similar to the one they will experience in Abuja.
"We will be playing on a murram surface which I believe will be vital. I believe we will adapt well to the surface and the climatic conditions,” he added.
Kenya has played three times at the World Team Cup with Ndenga a regular feature of the team since 2012. The rest of the squad includes Phoebe Masika and Asiya Sururu.
The men's team boosts Caleb Odiyo, Rajab Athman, Itaken Timoi, and John Wambua. Lawrence Karanja and Peter Wachira are the coaches for the team with TK executive officer, Nancy Nduku and Vincent Oduor traveling as the player aids.
National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) women's representative Paurvi Rawal is the team manager.
