news-engine

Team Kenya tennis coach Peter Wachira is targeting a clean sweep of the medals in the boys’ and girls’ categories at the 2026 ANOCA Zone V Youth Games. Edward Mwakio, Don Kelly, Mark Muange and Jyan Patel will represent Kenya in the boys’ events, while Seline Ahoya, Nancy Kawira, Michelle Murage and Jereica Thuku compete in the girls’ category. Several of the players recently featured in the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Championship in Thika, where Mwakio and Ahoya won their respective singles titles. Wachira noted that the team underwent a robust two-week training programme ahead of the tournament, which starts on Wednesday at Kenyatta University. “The team had good training sessions to work on key aspects of play,” Wachira said. “With the home-court advantage, we can go all the way.” He expressed high expectations for the girls’ squad, citing their prior international exposure. “Players like Seline and Nancy have represented Kenya at the Under-12 and Under-14 levels across multiple championships,” Wachira explained. “That experience will be invaluable.” Wachira added that the boys’ team is equally prepared: “We have put in the work, and the boys are ready and firing to go.” The team held its training sessions on clay (murram) courts, matching the surface at Kenyatta University. “We adapted well to the surface, which most of the players are already comfortable on. They have honed their skills here, and I am confident we will perform well,” Wachira observed. Identifying Uganda as Kenya’s main threat, Wachira stated: “Uganda has a couple of strong players, but we are more than ready for the task ahead and are going all out for victory.” The championship will feature athletes from Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burundi, Somalia, South Sudan and Egypt. In total, over 300 young athletes will compete across seven disciplines: athletics, swimming, 3x3 basketball, judo, cycling, beach volleyball and tennis.