NAIROBI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Mathias Kemboi/Wilfred Kimutai are likely to become the first Kenyan duo to secure ticket to the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship, which will be staged from June 16-23 in Thailand.
They will compete in the African Bations Cup competition next month in Algeria where four African berths for the world championship are up for grab.
Kemboi/Kimutai told reporters here on Thursday that they have the capacity to rival host Algeria, Rwanda, Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa and Botswana in the continental tournament and secure one of the four slots. The Kenya team is trained by former international Patrick Owino.
"It was a good warm-up competition for the boys to win the Zone Five beach volleyball championships in Dar es Salaam beating Uganda and Tanzania. However, it will be hard at the Africa level and we relish the challenge ahead," said Kimutai.
Kenya Beach Volleyball Federation chairman, Ben Juma, said the two players have been impressive during the ongoing beach circuits and believes they will be a force to reckon with in Algeria.
Kenya, however, will not send a women's team to the continental qualifiers due to lack of time as most players are stuck with their clubs ahead of the volleyball Africa Club Championships, which starts in Cairo on Saturday.
