Why Billie Jean King Cup is a crucial tournament for Kenya

TENNIS Why Billie Jean King Cup is a crucial tournament for Kenya

Abigael Wafula 19:00 - 25.05.2023

The event is scheduled for Monday, June 12 to Saturday, June 17 at the Nairobi Club.

The Billie Jean King Cup returns to Kenya after 28 years on the road and it is a great opportunity for the Kenyan youngsters to use home advantage to shine.

The tournament was last held in the country in 1995 and its return will give an opportunity to four Kenyan players one of whom is local based. The event is scheduled for Monday, June 12 to Saturday, June 17 at the Nairobi Club.

Kenya is currently ranked in Group III in Africa and a top finish will see them being promoted to the Europe/Africa Group II where the players will get a chance to play with the crème de la crème of tennis.

“Specifically, for Kenya, it’s a lot of pressure since we are the ones hosting. It’s a key thing that we get the promotion to group two. It’s very important for the players to put in the effort.

We have the home advantage and we hope to execute our game plan to the fullest,” head coach Francis Rogoi told KTN Sport.

The event has attracted tennis sensation Angela Okutoyi who will battle it out for top honours against some of the best tennis players in Africa with the hope of placing Kenya on the world map one more time.

The countries that have confirmed participation so far include Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Okutoyi is also bullish about propelling the flag’s country high when she takes on the tough opponents. She said the main goal is to ensure Kenya finishes first and qualifies for the promotion.

“The main goal is to qualify…I want to put a score in the board for my team. We want to clinch the maximum points and make the cut,” Okutoyi said.

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