Kenya tennis team for Davis Cup to hold build-up matches in SA, Egypt,Botswana

NAIROBI - Kenya team preparing for the Davis Cup Europe/Africa Group Two competition will have build-up tournaments in South Africa, Egypt and Botswana ahead of the championship set for April.

Tennis Kenya President James Kenani said the government will fund the team to the tour of 8.7 million Kenyan shillings (87,000 US dollars) for its preparations for the tournament, which will be played on a home and away basis.

"We are waiting for the funds from government to send the team out for their preparations. The tour will give our players an edge before the competition," said Kenani on Monday.

Kenya, which beat Benin to gain qualification from Group Three to Group Two last year, must fight hard to remain in the tier.

Best teams from the group will be promoted to the top tier Europe/Africa Group One while the worst teams will be dropped to Group Three.

Kenani however said the team has gained tremendously since the establishment of tennis academy in Nairobi last year.