BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Four nations chase two slots in Olympic qualifiers

Thirteen year old Sharon Jepkosgei from Soini Primary School in Nandi County receives a service ball against other international Beach Volleyball players during a training session at the Flamingo By PrideInn Beach ahead of the Africa Qualifying Sub-Zonal 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Qualifier which will be held in Tanzania this month, January 04, 2020. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

With four days left to the Africa Zone Five sub-zonal 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games qualifiers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the Kenyan team is leaving nothing to chance as they seek to bag the coveted slots.

The team leaves tomorrow for the qualifiers that begin on Friday to Sunday at Balamwezi Beach, in Dar es Salaam.

Players in camp are captain Phoscah Kasisi, Brackcides Agala, Loise Tarus, Yvonne Wavinya, Metrine Nabwile and veteran Gaudencia Makokha.  

Kenya will face Rwanda, Uganda and hosts Tanzania in the four-nation first-round qualifiers.

Apart from Gaudencia, the team's head coach Sammy Mulinge said the other players are newcomers to beach volleyball, but added that they have adapted well to the technical aspect of the sport.

“The players adapted well to the basic skills and have shown great improvement since they started residential camp last week,” said Mulinge.

The Olympic Games qualifications will be played in three rounds, with the second and third set being planned for February and June.

Meanwhile, three players will make their debut at the qualifiers. Coach Mulinge named Agala and Makokha in team A while captain Phoscah Kasisi will team up with Yvonne Wavinya in team B.