NAIROBI, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has edged out Tunisia to secure hosting right for the Davis Cup Africa Zone Group III tennis tournament in September.
It will be the second successive year that Kenya will be staging the competition after 2018 where Kenya, together with Namibia and Tunisia, were successful to secure promotion to Davis Cup Europe/Africa Group II.
However, they have been denied participation in the top cadre after a new sponsor came on board and opted to use a new ranking system, which knocked the three countries back to Euro/Africa Davis Cup Group III.
"The team was frustrated not to play in the group II category," Kenya Davis Cup team's head coach Rosemary Owino said on Tuesday, adding that Kenya's qualification to a higher level depends on adequate preparation.
"We have time to prepare well for the championship to give our players a chance to be in top form ahead of the championship," Owino said.
A new ranking system came to effect after a new sponsor, Kosmos Group, an investment firm owned by FC Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique, signed a deal worth 300 billion shillings (three billion U.S. dollars) covering 25 years.
Owino expressed confidence that they can fight their way back to Group II. "I have faith in the boys that they can deliver. We have the advantage of playing on home soil," said Owino.
Kenya team has experienced players including Ismael Changawa, Sheil Kotecha, Albert Njogu, Ryan Randiek and Kevin Cheruiyot.
