Kenya keep Paris dreams alive

Kenya's Team B players celebrate after scoring a point against Burundi's Team A during the Africa Zone Five Beach Volleyball competition at the Pride Inn Beach Hotel in Mombasa on December 21, 2023. [KVF Media]

Kenya proved it's easy to qualify for the Olympic Games with proper preparations including international exposure.

This is after the Kenyan women's beach volleyball team qualified for next year's CAVB- African Volleyball Confederation Continental Cup whose winner will get the sole ticket to represent Africa at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

With more matches to play today, the Kenyan women's team won the needed matches during the ongoing Africa Zone Five Beach Volleyball competition at the Pride Inn Beach Hotel in Mombasa to remain on course of progressing to the Olympic Games.

The men's team revived their hopes of their road trip to Paris after winning their matches yesterday.

Kenya's women's Team B of newcomers Sharleen Sembeli and Mercy Iminza yesterday defeated Burundi's Team A that comprised of Delly Kaze and Gynette Kamwemwe 2-0 (21-19, 21-16).

The Kenyan pair had lost in their opening match against Egyptian Team A of Marwa Magdy and Doaa Tawfik 2-0 (21-18, 21-11).

Kenya cemented their qualification after the pair of Olympian and captain Gaudencia Makokha and Yvonne Wavinya showed their international exposure after they dismissed Burundi's Team B of Noppen Karen and Emmanuelie Ndayikengurukiye 2-0 (21-13, 21-13).

Coach Salome Wanjala was full of praise for her charges.

"The girls have stood firm despite stiff competition," she said.

In another women's match, the Egyptian pair maintained their good run after they defeated Rwanda's Team B of Albertine Uwilingyimana and Aloysie Tuyoshime 2-0 (21-3, 21-7).

Egyptian Team B of Nada Samir and Nariman Yasser was beaten 2-1(18-21, 21-16, 15-13) by Rwanda's Team A that comprised of Valentine Munezero and Benitha Mukandayisenga.

In men's matches, Kenyan pair of Elphas Makuto and Jairus Bett defeated Ugandan Team B of Ayo Innocent and Mugabi Ishaq 2-1 )21-15, 15-21, 15-8).

The other Kenyan pair of Melly Brian and Edward Kibet dismissed Uganda's Team A of Geoffrey Onapa and Allan Olokotum 2-0 (21-7, 21-14) to remain as top contenders.