Team Kenya Under-16 tennis coach Thuku Rogoi targets qualification for the Africa Junior Tennis Championships in Botswana later in the year.
First, Kenya will have to win next week’s zonal championships at the Nairobi Club.
Rogoi believes the players at his disposal can gain the only automatic ticket on offer.
“It’s a strong squad. A good number of them have played in the ongoing W35 tournaments, a good platform to build on and qualify,” Rogoi said.
The winner of the Botswana event will qualify for the World Junior Billie Jean King Cup, whose dates and venue are yet to be communicated by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Seline Ahoya, who had a successful stint in the U14 category has moved to the U16 class and will spearhead Kenya’s quest.
She is joined by Nancy Kawira, Michelle Murage, Inayya Virani, Amani Gikunda and Ishara Desthilder.
“We are playing at home (this time). Over the years, the girls have performed well in the regional championships — in Tanzania and Uganda — but we are not resting on our laurels because of past performances. We have to be at our best,” Rogoi said.
Kenya face Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi for the ticket to the continental championships.
Despite falling in last week’s qualifying rounds of the W35 tournament in Nairobi, Ahoya believes the exposure will be vital for her and her teammates.
“Playing in the tournament was vital. We have adapted to the surface at Nairobi Club. With a couple of more training sessions, we will be in a good place,” Ahoya said.
Team Kenya will be represented by three teams in the U16 boys’ category featuring Zayyan Virani, Ayush Bhandari, Jeff Okuku, Aum Chandarrana, Reyan Bulsara and Mark Murage.
They are under coach Rosemary Owino. Liya Gikunda spearheads the U14 girls’ team alongside Bathsheba Ogamba, Felicia Ouko, Jeanrice Rogoi, Ashley Lila and Paula Ouko and will be coached by former national champion Caroline Oduor.
Davis Cup coach George Oyoo is in charge of the U14
boys’ team which features Indiatasi Olembo, Ayan Quadros,
Vihan Bulsara, Kalil Nathani, Jyan Patel and Evans Mundia.
