Junior players make Commonwealth Games squad

Veteran Anthony Mathenge picked up from his loss to the youthful junior player Peter Theuri in the Commonwealth Games Table Tennis trials to book his ticket to the Games as national trials ended at the weekend.

Mathenge, who was confident of making it to the final team owing to his experience, watched in dismay as Makini School student Theuri won the encounter 3-1. This was Mathenge’s first defeat in the national team trials attracted 20 men who were competing for the three slots up for grabs.

In the women’s category, Jinita Shah from Mombasa was all smiles as she won all her matches to take the top position. Shah was no match for even the more experienced Sejal Chandarana.

It was a sad day for former Kenyan International John Ojiambo who tied on points with Theuri and Mike Otieno as he was knocked out of the team due to a poor wins ratio.

For Otieno, Theuri and Della Njani, it was a sigh of relief, being the only junior players who excelled in local and regional events. The trials were held after three qualifying tournaments that saw players accumulate points.

final SQUAD

Men’s Team

1. Anthony Mathenge

2. Mike Otieno

3. Peter Theuri

Ladies Team

1. Jinita Shah

2. Sejal Chandarana

3. Della Njani

Officials

1. John Gicaci - Team Manager

2. Fahd Daim - Coach