Kenya chase Paris Olympics ticket in Japan

As the 3X3 FIBA Universality Basketball Qualification Championships rolls down in Utsunomia in Japan today, Kenya is determined to make it to the Paris Olympic Games.

Kenya has sent a strong female side of five players for the three-day-competition.

Mexico-based Victoria Reynolds (Santos Del Potosi) and Mercy Wanyama who plays for Sauliou in Lithuania are part of the Everlyn Kedogo-coached team.

The local-based players are captain Natalie Akinyi, Madina Okot and Hilda Indasi.

Kenya have been drawn in Group B alongside Canada, Netherlands and Australia.

Group A has hosts Japan, Germany, Brazil and Austria.

Kenya face Canada in the first group match before tackling Australia tomorrow followed by a match against Netherlands on Sunday.

Team manager Angela Luchivya said the girls were in good spirits ahead of the tournament.

“These girls have had enough exposure before the tournament. They have trained in a number of countries abroad and I think we are ready for the epic task ahead of us,” said Luchivya.

The team has been in a residential training camp in Miramas, France for 14 days courtesy of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) and the Ministry of Sports.

During their stay in France, the team played two European teams and participated in two of the Four-Stop French Pro league.

Other preparations included a one-week high performance training camp in Hammamet, Tunisia in January, a trip that was sponsored by FIBA Africa and Serbia 3x3 Academy.