Table tennis: Fight intensifies

By Ben Ahenda

As the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique dates near, Anthony Mathenge leads the pack of players likely to qualify for the national team to the continental games.

Mathenge has amassed unassailable 1,400 points from a pool of 25 male players fighting for three slots in the latest rankings released by Kenya Table Tennis Association secretary general Andrew Mudibo.

The federation is using the points scoring system to select players for the continental games programmed for between September 3 and18.

In second opposition is Brooke Bekele of Nairobi with 700 points.

The duo are almost sure of being called to the national team after scooping unassailable leads that may not be easy to overturn.

NAME FINAL TEAM

The federation is left with a tournament in Nyanza Open Championships before they name the final team whose team manager will be John Gicaci.

Nyanza Open Table Tennis Championships would be held at Kisumu Social Academy Hall this weekend.

In the women’s category, Gloria Sigowo is the top player with 1400 points followed by Valencia Cheptoo at 700 points.

Five players are tying at 350 points. They are Hope Cherungetich, Mary Maina, Sejal Chandarana, Linda Sifuna and Lucy Festus.

Phoebe Matheka, Brenda Waititu and Beth Njeru finish the list of top ten players at 175 points a piece in the women’s category.

In the men’s category, the other top ten finishers are Steve Wanyoike, Victor Ouko, John Odhiambo, Dennis Kimaru and Pascal Mutinda tying at 350 points.

THREE PLAYERS

The rest are Samuel Maina, Mihir Malde, Kennedy Chepkor, Allan Kiprotich, Derrick Inyanje, Victor Kibet and Cosmas Onyango, who are all tying on 175 points.

Mudibo said Kenya will send only three players in each category of men and women’s teams.

The fourth player in both the men and women’s teams will be decided by the executive after the Kisumu tournament.

The selected players are expected to start residential training at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi mid next month.

In Nyanza Open Championships, players will compete in men and women’s singles and doubles.

The charges for men and women’s singles are Sh500 per person and Sh1000 per pair in both categories.

The federation is charging Sh2,500 per team of four players in both categories.