Kenya Under-12 tennis coach Caroline Oduor has called for early preparations ahead of the major continental championships, following the team’s performance at the Africa Junior Championship in Morocco.
Team Kenya finished eighth in the boys’ category, while the girls placed last. Oduor acknowledged the girls’ efforts in training but stressed the need for greater exposure before major competitions.
“If you look at the participating teams like Tunisia and South Africa, they had played build-up tournaments to fine-tune their preparations. We did not do that, so my plea to Tennis Kenya, if we qualify for the next Africa event, is to ensure the girls and boys play build-up matches to be in the best possible shape,” said Oduor.
Kenya had enjoyed success in the regional tournament held in Tanzania in May, but the players struggled at the continental level against stronger opposition. Oduor noted the clear gulf in standards between the two levels of competition.
“At the regional level, I can say we are head and shoulders above our rivals, but the competition in Africa is of a higher standard, and we must strive to ensure our teams are competitive and can hold their own in both categories,” she observed.
In the boys’ category, the team of Indiatsi Olembo, Muyanze Kahi, and Fidel Castral lost 3–0 to South Africa, Tunisia, and Benin, respectively, before claiming a consolation 2–1 win over Mauritania.
The girls’ team of Naila Gikunda, Malia Mongire, and Imani Kavuisya fell 3–0 to South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco. Oduor added that the girls’ category had been reduced to five countries after several teams failed to travel.“The girls’ competition was reduced to five teams from eight, which made it even tougher for the team.”
Following the tournament, both teams will take a break before shifting their focus to the upcoming regional qualifiers, which Kenya has bid to host in the new year. The regional qualifiers have been hosted in Tanzania and Uganda over the past two years.
by WILLIAM NJUGUNA
