This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
On September 16, 2019, Kenya made history by winning the Davis Cup Africa Group III, securing a spot in the Euro/Africa Group II Championship.
Under the leadership of non-playing captain Rosemary Owino, the team dominated their pool matches and defeated Mozambique 2-0 in the semi-final at the Nairobi Club.
However, the road ahead will be challenging as they prepare to face off in the Group II playoff against top teams next year.
Kenya's tennis team has a rich history, having nearly qualified for the World Group in 1992. The team was once led by the legendary Paul Wekesa, and with the right training and support, they can achieve their dreams once again.
But for now, the team's morale is low due to unpaid allowances from recent competitions, including the Africa Beach Games in Cape Verde, the East Africa Championships in Burundi, and the African Games in Morocco.
It is imperative that the government provides the team with the necessary incentives and support to ensure their success in future competitions.
Hosting events, such as the Davis Cup, can also be a significant advantage, and the government should expedite the construction of the Tennis Centre at Kasarani, which has been stalled despite a groundbreaking ceremony led by International Tennis Federation (ITF) president David Haggerty last year.
