Team Kenya have set their sights on winning the under-12 category during the Africa Junior Tennis Championship starting today in Casablanca, Morocco.
Kenya qualified after finishing second overall in the regional qualifier held in Uganda in July and will be seeking to make a mark in the event. The girls finished second while the boys placed third in Kampala
Head coach Caroline Oduor said the young squad is unfazed by playing higher-ranked nations in the week-long tournament.
"The team is well prepared physically and mentally but we know the challenge won't be easy. We want to be competitive and give a good account of ourselves during the tournament,” added Oduor.
The girls' team comprises Bathseba Ogamba, Jenerica Rogoi, and Liya Gikunda while the boys' team will feature Ayan Quadros, Jyan Patel and Inditiasi Olembo.
The girls will face Morocco, Zimbabwe, Algeria, and Botswana while the boys will be up against Tunisia South Africa, Algeria, and Guinea.
Oduor said the girls' biggest challenge will come from Morocco while the boys will have Tunisia and South Africa to contend with.
"Morocco, South Africa, and Tunisia have very good programs when it comes to age-grade tennis. Though our opponents are well exposed, I believe we have trained quite well and I expect the team to post good results," added Oduor.
The former international said the goal for the team will be to play in the continental competition every year.
“This being the second time the girls have qualified for the continental show and the first time for the boys, we need to play at this level for the next couple of years so that our under-12 can play their best and improve their all-round game," observed Oduor.
He said training at the refurbished Nairobi Club tennis courts will aid their play in Casablanca. “Training at Nairobi Club on the new courts has helped us a lot as the surface in Casablanca is almost similar."
