Wanjala backs national team to qualify for quarterfinals

Beach volleyball player Gaudencia Makokha (left) and Brackcides Khadambi in action during a training session at the Smithfield Market in Birmingham, United Kingdom. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

National women's beach volleyball team coach Salome Wanjala is upbeat about her side's chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals of the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Smithfield, UK.

She said the team has a perfect chance to make it to the knockout stage should they beat Ghana this afternoon in their last preliminary match.

"We can qualify for the quarterfinals as the best losers should we beat Ghana today where points will be the determining factor," said Wanjala.
Twelve teams have been divided into three groups of four teams each. The top two teams automatically advance to the quarterfinals with the best two losers from the three groups making it to the last eight.

Kenya lost her two matches 2-0 (21-15, 21-5) and 2-0 (21-10, 21-19) to Canada and New Zealand respectively and need to convincingly outsmart Ghana today to make it to the last eight.
"There is a chance to see Kenya at the knockout stage and its more concrete should we thrash Ghana with good scores," added the former KCB player.

At the same time, Kenya's 3x3 both men and women basketball teams were bundled out of the games after they lost in the quarterfinals.
The men's team that had Larry Shavanga, John Wijass, Darril Omondi and Faheem Juma was beaten 20-15 by Australia. The Kenyan lads had lost 15-12 to Canada but went ahead to beat Sri Lanka 21-18.

The women's team coached by Eunice Ouma and that had Mellisa Akinyi, Victoria Ronalds, Hilda Indasi and towering Medina OKot beat Sri Lanka 21-8 before losing 21-15 and 21-12 to Australia and England respectively.

Men's coach Zadock Adika, and his women's counterpart, Ouma, still believe the teams have a bright future in the sports.