BJK Cup: Team rosters revealed ahead of continental showdown in Nairobi

The World Cup of Tennis comes to Kenya’s shores in a few days’ time when Tennis Kenya will host 11 other nations for the biggest event on the International Tennis Federation’s calendar.

Event Referee, Egyptian Khaled Sergany, is expected in the country imminently to rubber stamp all of Tennis Kenya and Nairobi Club’s facilities before battle royale begins from Monday 12 – 17 June 2023 where one nation will gain promotion into the Billie Jean King Cup Euro/Africa Zone Group II with the last team facing relegation.

Ahead of the tourney, Morocco is expected on Thursday night with the last team, Burundi, anticipated to touch down on the eve of the Championships.

2022 Wimbledon Girls’ Doubles champion Angella Okutoyi will lead Kenya’s quest of putting up an impressive show on home soil and will be joined by twin sister Roselida Asumwa, Alicia Owegi - both from the USA - and local ace Cynthia Wanjala.

Tennis ace Angella Okutoyi headlines Kenyan team set for 2023 Billie Jean King Cup

The teams will line up as follows:

Botswana

1.           Chelsea Chakanyuka

2.           Thato Madikwe

3.           Cheludo Leungo Monnayoo

4.           Kelebo Monnayoo

5.           Ernest Seleke – Captain

Burundi

1.           Mwamini Bitungwa

2.           Zaituni Akeza

3.           Hoziane Kitambala – Playing Captain

Ghana

1.           Elizabeth Kapari Bagerbaseh

2.           Sisu – Makena Tomegah

3.           Annette Cruickshank

4.           Vanessa Kabukie Akuaku

5.           Richard Ayi Dartey – Captain

Mauritius

1.           Zara Lennon

2.           Tippi Dalle – Grave

3.           Tejaswini Jessoo

4.           Astrid Tixier – Playing Captain

Morocco

1.           Yasmine Kabbaj

2.           Malak El Allami

3.           Aya El Aouni

4.           Manal Ennaciri

5.           Mehdi Ait Barhouch – Captain

Namibia

1.           Lisa Lia Yssel

2.           Joanivia Bezuidenhout

3.           Leandre Nabia Louw

4.           Liniques Theron – Playing Captain

Nigeria

1.           Sarah Adegoke

2.           Adesuwa Osabuohien

3.           Barakat Oyinlomo Quadre

4.           Divine Dasam Nweke

5.           Marylove Edwards

6.           Rotmi Akinloye – Captain

Seychelles

1.           Fatime Kante

2.           Ashaelle Bastienne

3.           Zenab Kante

4.           Marie-May Isnard – Playing Captain

Tunisia

1.  Ferdaous Bahri

2.   Ranim Rassil

3.   Feryel Ben Hassen

4.   Hiba Heni

5.   Chiraz Bechri

6.   Chaker Ben Amor – Captain

Uganda

1.   Winnie Birungi

2.   Patience Athieno

3.   Abigail Nabasinga Mulungi

4.   Judith Nalukwago

5.   Edinah Nabiryo

6.   Edward Odocken – Captain

Zimbabwe

1.   Rufaro Magarira

2.   Sasha Natalie Chimedza

3.   Tanyaradzwa Midzi

4.   Tadiwanashe Eunice Mauchi

5.   Fadzai Mawisire – Captain

Kenya

1.   Roselida Asumwa

2.   Cynthia Wanjala

3.   Angella Okutoyi

4.   Alicia Owegi

5.   Francis Rogoi – Captain