Kenyans will be facing a stern test at the ITTF Africa Cup starting today, May 4, and concluding on Saturday, May 6.
Head Coach Anthony Mathenge is prescribing exposing young players to more training outside the country to raise the standard of Table Tennis in Kenya.
He added that having training camps ahead of major tournaments will also be a source of motivation for the players.
14:50 - 03.05.2023
TABLE TENNIS Lisa Wele attributes poor show at the African Clubs Championships on inexperience
Wele respectively lost 2-3 and 0-3 to her Ugandan and Ethiopian opponents.
“These junior players should have more training outside the country. The federation should also organise training camps to avoid last minute rush which is usually haphazard. That’s the only way we can improve,” he told KBC Sport.
At the just concluded African Clubs Championships staged at the Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani, Nairobi City men’s side was the best-placed Kenyan club in fourth overall place. Egyptians ran away with the top honours.
Meanwhile, the Kenyans will be facing a stern test at the ITTF Africa Cup starting today, May 4, and concluding on Saturday, May 6 at the same venue.
The event has attracted some of the best players in the continent including defending champions Omar Assar and Hana Goda.
10:30 - 01.05.2023
TABLE TENNIS Kenya’s Kinuthia keen to claim maiden continental title at Africa Table Tennis Championship
The Mathematics and Computer Science student is unfazed by her relative inexperience and strong opposition expected at Kasarani gymnasium
Kenya will be relying on Brian Mutua and Lisa Wele, who are among the top-ranked athletes in the country. Others in the squad include Josiah Wandera, Peter Theuri, Boniface Musyoki, Bahati Rufina, Lydia Setey, and Mary Kinuyua.
On his part, Kenya Table Tennis Association Vice Chairman promised that going forward, the federation will be keen to expose the athletes to more international tournaments.