Kenyans stay on course to book slots to Paris Olympic Games
Volleyball and Handball
By
Ernest Ndunda
| Dec 24, 2023
Kenya remained on the right path to next year's Olympic Games in Paris, France after they showed their growing prowess in beach volleyball with qualification to the Africa Continental Cup.
Saturday's well deserved victories by Kenya's women and men teams at the Africa Zone Five beach Volleyball championship at the Pride Inn Beach Hotel in Mombasa moved them one step from qualifying for the Olympic Games.
It was a tense moment for the Kenyan teams especially the men sides where they needed a win to avoid being bundled out of the Olympic qualifiers at the first phase.
In the women matches, Kenya had to win the golden set to cement their qualification in style.
It was not an easy task for the Kenyan girls under coach Salome Wanjala as they had to win 15-9 in the third and deciding set.
Kenyan B side of Mercy Iminza and Sharleen Sembeli lost their match against Rwandan A team of Munezero Valentine and Mukandayisenga Benitha 2-0 (21-19, 21-13).
The defeat put more pressure on Kenya A team that comprised of Olympian and captain Gaudencia Makokha and Yvonne Wavinya who easily went ahead to win their match against Rwanda B pair of Uwiringiyimana Albertine and Tuyishime Aloysie) with a score of 2-0 (21-13, 21-17).
After the 1-1 draw, the teams had to proceed for a decisive and golden set between Makokha and Wavinya against Rwanda's Valentine and Benitha.
The Kenyan pair emerged victorious with a 15-9 win to the excitement of the spectators who had turned out in large numbers to support the home teams.
In the men matches, Kenya won the nail-biting decisive ties against both Burundian team A and B to secure their spot in the continental Cup.
Kenyan team B of Brian Melly and Edward Kibet defeated Burundi A side that comprised of Iteretika Jean and Mukunzi Christ 2-1 (19-21, 21-16, 15-13).
In the second match, Kenya's team A of Jairus Bett and Elphas Makuto did not disappoint after they secured a victory against Burundi B wing of Niyongabo Fiston and Ishimwe Dan with a comfortable win (21-13, 21-13).
The win victories was a relief for coach Patrick Owino who had no option but to win the matches to keep his dream of playing at the Olympic Games alive.
"We were the better sides in the two matches and we are happy with the results. There is no time to relax as we focus on the Continental Cup," Owino said