December 04, 2024

All systems go at BJK tourney at Nairobi Club

All systems go at BJK tourney at Nairobi Club
Photo courtesy of Tennis kenya

2022 Wimbledon Girls’ Doubles champion Angella Okutoyi will lead Kenya’s quest of putting up an impressive show on home soil

All is ready for the prestigious 2023 Billie Jean King Cup that will be staged at the Nairobi Club from 12-17 June.

The tournament where 12 nations will be competing in the Africa Group III category, is expected to present countries with the best chance to bag some wins with the ultimate prize being promotion to the Africa/Euro Group II.

2022 Wimbledon Girls’ Doubles champion Angella Okutoyi will lead Kenya’s quest of putting up an impressive show on home soil, alongside twin sister Roselida Asumwa and Alicia Owegi with the duo also currently in the United States with Cowley College in Kansas and Alabama University respectively.

The four players come into the tournament off some experience as they are the same quartet that took part in the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup (Europe/Africa) held in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Asumwa, Wanjala and Owegi finished eleventh out of 14 countries after losing 2-0 to Botswana in the positional play off as Okutoyi missed out on the tournament as the dates of the competition clashed with her historic run to the Wimbledon title in London.

In the team that will be headed by coach Francis Rogoi, Stacy Yego and Zimbabwe based Melissa Mwakha will join the Kenyan team as reserve players.

 

The teams will line up as follows:

Botswana

1.           Chelsea Chakanyuka

2.           Thato Madikwe

3.           Cheludo Leungo Monnayoo

4.           Kelebo Monnayoo

5.           Ernest Seleke – Captain

Burundi

1.           Mwamini Bitungwa

2.           Zaituni Akeza

3.           Hoziane Kitambala – Playing Captain

Ghana

1.           Elizabeth Kapari Bagerbaseh

2.           Sisu – Makena Tomegah

3.           Annette Cruickshank

4.           Vanessa Kabukie Akuaku

5.           Richard Ayi Dartey – Captain

Mauritius

1.           Zara Lennon

2.           Tippi Dalle – Grave

3.           Tejaswini Jessoo

4.           Astrid Tixier – Playing Captain

Morocco

1.           Yasmine Kabbaj

2.           Malak El Allami

3.           Aya El Aouni

4.           Manal Ennaciri

5.           Mehdi Ait Barhouch – Captain

Namibia

1.           Lisa Lia Yssel

2.           Joanivia Bezuidenhout

3.           Leandre Nabia Louw

4.           Liniques Theron – Playing Captain

Nigeria

1.           Sarah Adegoke

2.           Adesuwa Osabuohien

3.           Barakat Oyinlomo Quadre

4.           Divine Dasam Nweke

5.           Marylove Edwards

6.           Rotmi Akinloye – Captain

Seychelles

1.  Fatime Kante

2.   Ashaelle Bastienne

3.   Zenab Kante

4.  Marie-May Isnard – Playing Captain

Tunisia

1.  Ferdaous Bahri

2.   Ranim Rassil

3.   Feryel Ben Hassen

4.   Hiba Heni

5.   Chiraz Bechri

6.   Chaker Ben Amor – Captain

Uganda

1.   Winnie Birungi

2.   Patience Athieno

3.   Abigail Nabasinga Mulungi

4.   Judith Nalukwago

5.   Edinah Nabiryo

6.   Edward Odocken – Captain

Zimbabwe

1.   Rufaro Magarira

2.   Sasha Natalie Chimedza

3.   Tanyaradzwa Midzi

4.   Tadiwanashe Eunice Mauchi

5.   Fadzai Mawisire – Captain

Kenya

1.   Roselida Asumwa

2.   Cynthia Wanjala

3.   Angella Okutoyi

4.   Alicia Owegi

5.   Francis Rogoi – Captain