Cub Lionesses' head coach Sarah Otieno has exalted confidence that her team will produce a stellar performance at the Commonwealth Youth Games set for August 6-11 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Despite being the first time the 18 and below girls are playing at an international competition, Otieno said she has prepared them mentally to tackle the competition. She said they are unfazed—facing countries that have a history of doing well in rugby.
Kenya have been pitted against Canada, Australia, and Fiji and the event will run on a round-robin format. The first match will be against Fiji on August 6.
“My main concern is the mental readiness of the girls. I believe if they are ready mentally, their performance will be excellent. From my analysis, this team is capable of bringing a medal back home,” offered Otieno while naming a 13-man squad.
Otieno expects the tournament to be competitive hence she selected utility players who are also fast runners.
“I decided to pick fast players because Fiji and Australia play a fast game. I have picked more flyers but still, they can play in any position. My strategy will be moving the ball as fast as possible,” she said adding that the team will jet off on July 31.
Commenting about variance in the weather patterns between Kenya and Trinidad, she said: “I understand Trinidad is currently experiencing summer with temperatures rising up to 30 degrees centigrade. I have factored that in training and that is why we train in the afternoon when the temperatures are high for the girls to adapt.”
The former rugby referee said this will be an outing for the girls to prove their might as she believes they hold the future of women’s rugby in the country.
“This will be their maiden international event and I have advised them to unwary of any side. We will take each game as a final as we target to achieve podium positions.”
“The girls have been waiting for such an opportunity and I have prepared them well for it. I have even shared my experience of how it feels to represent the country internationally,” she added. ]
Otieno believes the future of women’s rugby is bright only if the spotting and development of talented girls could be established in schools.
“Countries like Fiji have development programmes for girls as young as 10 years— something we have not taken seriously. If we can integrate such programmes in schools, I believe we will have a continuous flow of talents,” she said.
The team captain Margaret Wangui echoed her talisman's sentiments, saying the team is eager to fly the country's flag high
“We feel ready for the tournament. We have had a good two weeks of training and the coaches have done a good job preparing us,” said the Form 3 student at PCEA Ngong Hills. She will be deputized by 16-year-old Linda Kagwiria.
Full Squad: Margaret Wangui (captain), Linda Kagwiria (assistant captain), Salma Akoth, Marvel Laura, Jackline Kagwiria, Sharon Iminza
Claudia Muhavi, Brenda Ogembo, Bernice Bryanzi, Ann Namunyak, Janet Oyaro, Mary Mwende, Mitchell Alivitsa, Sarah Otieno (head coach), and David Weru (assistant coach).
