Wimbledon Open doubles junior champion Angella Okutoyi has thanked Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba for the hefty bonuses awarded to the Kenyan team at the Billie Jean King Cup, which came to an end on Saturday at the Nairobi Club.
Okutoyi said the financial windfall was a huge factor in Kenya securing a third-place finish at the continental showpiece after a 2-1 overall win over Zimbabwe in the third-place playoff.
“For sure it definitely did but it is not just about the bonus. I am happy that the CS has been coming throughout the week to support us and to give us the encouragement from the government and from him. We are very grateful to him…the bonus did encourage us a bit and it put a smile on our faces,” Okutoyi said.
The six – Okutoyi, Alicia Owegi, Cynthia Cheruto, Melissa Mwakha, Stacey Yego and Roselinda Asumwa – each received allowances of Ksh 128,000, paid directly into their respective accounts, in addition to Ksh 50,000 each from Namwamba.
The Kenyans were smiling on Saturday after a heartbreaking Friday in which they lost 2-1 to Nigeria to see their dreams of competing at next year’s Euro/Africa Championships billow up in smoke.
On Saturday, Kenyans were in a class of their own, Okutoyi setting the pace with a 6-3 6-4 win over Sasha Natalie Chimedza before the Southern Africans equalised the tie courtesy of Rufaro Magarira’s 6-2 6-1 win over Cynthia Cheruto.
Eventually, Okutoyi and Owegi steadied the ship in the doubles match when they defeated Chimedza and Magarira 7-6 7-6 in an epic battle.
Reflecting on the events of the day, Okutoyi pointed out that the win places Kenya on the right pedestal to soar higher in future assignments.
“Just looking at this year, everyone in the team has improved considerably. I believe this team has better serves than anyone out there. That is our biggest weapon and that has helped us throughout the tournament,” she said.
Yego, the only member of the team who did not play in any match, noted that she has learnt a lot from the sidelines and is raring to play her first game in national colours in the not-so-distant future.
“It’s really been great being here and cheering on the team and watching them play. It is a big motivation watching Angie play. I am happy to support the team in any way and being the team supporter,” she said.
Yego added: “Watching them practice and play matches is a really huge motivation for me to keep going and play next time. I think I have improved on my fitness and practicing with them has really improved my game skills.”
Morocco were crowned winners of the Group III tournament after an overall 2-1 win over fellow North Africans, Tunisia.
Aya El Aouni beat Feryel Ben Hassen 6-0 7-5 in the first match of the day before the second-seeded Tunisians recovered via Chiraz Bechri’s 6-4 6-4 win over Yasmine Kabbaj.
Aouni teamed up with Malak El Alami in the doubles to beat Bechri and Ben Hassen 7-6 3-6 6-0 and secure Morocco’s place in the Euro/Africa Championships.
Seychelles were relegated to Group IV of the Billie Jean King Cup after finishing last in the week-long tournament.
