‘Hurt’ Angella Okutoyi pens lengthy heartfelt message after missing Paris Olympics ticket

Kenya’s tennis sensation Angella Okutoyi will not be on the plane to the 2024 Paris Olympics after her International Tennis Federation (ITF) appeal to earn a ticket to the global showpiece was unsuccessful.

Okutoyi had earned half a chance of gracing the Paris Olympics after clinching the 2023 Africa Games title in Accra in March but her tennis rankings locked her out of the Olympics.

The youngster failed to attain the required top-400 world ranking that was mandatory by 10 June to secure a maiden berth at the Olympics.

Waiting game for Okutoyi as Tennis Kenya lodge appeal seeking spot in Paris Olympics

By the time the qualification window was shut, the 20-year-old was ranked 503rd in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings deferring her ‘childhood’ Olympic dream.

In the appeal filed at ITF, Okutoyi pleaded her case that African Games were delayed by seven months and ultimately she failed to receive sufficient time needed to break into the top 400.

In a lengthy post on her social media accounts, Okutoyi acknowledged the treacherous journey of sealing her qualification to the Olympics but kept her dreams of playing at the quadrennial event open.

She also called for a rule change that would see the African champion earn a direct ticket to the Olympics and also went on to give special thanks to those who were part of the journey.

“Writing this with mixed emotions, but first l thank God for always being here with me . It’s been tough even to reach where l am now and one of my many ultimate goals was to see myself playing at the OLYMPICS and l was really setting my eyes on this one after missing Tokyo!!

I’ve always wanted and dreamt of representing Kenya at the highest level in tennis and just changing the narrative of tennis in Kenya and tennis in Africa too. Didn’t meet the 400 mark for the qualification but my ranking stands at 495.

Waiting game for Okutoyi as Tennis Kenya lodge appeal seeking spot in Paris Olympics

My prayer is in the near future that a continental win should be a direct ticket cause it’s not easy playing the best of your continent and considering Africa we don’t have much opportunities too. I wanna give gratitude to my federation Tennis Kenya for not giving up on me and trying all the possible ways to see me in Paris.

Those who stood by me; my fam (family , my coach Francis Rogoi, AuburnWTennis, fans and those who l haven’t mentioned.

This one hurts but I’m gonna stay strong and look forward to greater things that l have faith are waiting for me. Will work hard to see myself at the next Olympics, was close this time but felt far!!!

Will switch my focus now to Morocco and I’m hungrier. They say ‘the comeback is always greater than the set backs’.”