Setey excited to face the best at Kasarani as Kenya hosts ITTF tourney

Having already taken some impressive scalps locally, high school teacher Lydia Setey is looking forward to the forthcoming ‘Africa Festival of Table Tennis’ in Nairobi with great expectations.

Speaking from her St Monica Girls School base in Kitale where she teaches mathematics, chemistry, and table tennis, the national women’s team mainstay revealed what she thinks about her academic command and how it will come in handy in her national team duties at Kasarani Stadium from 1 to 6 May.

Mutua, Wele headline Team Kenya for ITTF continental extravaganza

Setey explained just how mathematics and the ping-pong sport are always intertwined, hence the calculated moves she’ll employ in the upcoming continental showpiece, by and large.

So how does the mathematics facet play out? “The way one calculates a problem in math is the same they'll calculate how to win a point in every game. Mathematics involves proper arrangement and planning of a problem and getting a solution using various methods; the same case applies for table tennis. There are various ways of winning a point mathematically,” she offered. 

She adds that mathematical aspects like angle properties relate well with table tennis because there are certain angles that the bat is supposed to be positioned depending on the techniques that one wants to apply.

“This has always formed the basis of my attack and defense, I can’t wait to be at Kasarani when the big event rolls off,” she continued.

Setey currently heads the team of coaches in the cradle of Kenya girls' table tennis at St Monica School (her former school) in Trans Nzoia County where she took over the technical mantle from her mentor Justus Gichuki.

“As a coach I get to understand how different players play, how to train them and it is such a great feeling when they break into the national team ranks,” she offered.

Setey reckons that the upcoming continental event in Kasarani is a big deal for local players given the fact that it presents an opportunity to play as hosts and to rub shoulders with the crème de la crème of the continent.

“It will definitely be a good tournament and exposure too. It will give most of us invaluable experience, more so young players like Lisa Wele and Mary Kinuthia who haven't played so many events internationally. It's an added value to them as they’ll get to understand more about playing at the highest level in Africa.”

Meanwhile, Setey is overly excited to see her St Monica product Wele) ruffle feathers locally as Kenya's table tennis rising star.

“Lisa is my player from the evergreen St Monica ranks and I know her much better than anyone else since she came out of school. She is an astute student of the game who plays her table tennis meticulously. She has really improved. She plays very well and has transformed from being defensive to both offensive and defensive ace player and it has really worked for her.”