Angela Okutoyi
Tennis Kenya has lined up several international build-up tournaments as Team Kenya prepare for the Billie Jean King Cup on August 4-11.
Team captain Francis Rogoi said junior players, including Seline Ahoya, Nancy Kawira and Stacy Yego, will play in Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa and Tunisia between June and July.
The senior players, who include Africa champion Angela Okutoyi, Alicia Owegi, Cynthia Cheruto and Melissa Mwakha, will play in Europe, the US and Africa.
“Angela is in a training camp in France and will play in some tournaments. Alicia will continue with her preparation in the United States, playing in the Collegiate circuit, while Melissa is playing in two tournaments in Namibia in the next fortnight,” said Rogoi.
“All this aims to ensure the players are in top shape by the time the (Billie Jean King Cup) tournament starts.”
Team Kenya missed out on promotion last year when they hosted the tournament at the Nairobi Club.
They finished third with South Africa bagging the sole ticket to Group II.
Rogoi believes the lessons then will be vital for this year’s campaign.
“We came up short last year in the semifinal, losing to both Nigeria and South Africa. Our plans for the better part of the last 11 months have been to expose our players to quality tournaments. This will ensure they are stronger this time round,” added Rogoi.
Rogoi has a team of eight players (female), which he will trim to five for the August championship.
“Competition is going to be tough. From the conversations we have had with their respective coaches, the players are training hard and I am confident we will pick a formidable team that can go all out to win the competition,” said Rogoi.
Teams expected include last year’s runners-up Nigeria, Burundi, Tunisia and Mauritius.
