Netball: Divas' preparations intensify ahead of World Cup qualifiers

National women’s netball team, Kenya Divas, have their work cut out in their quest to book a place to next-year's World Cup. 

The team has been in training at the City Stadium netball court in preparation for the qualifiers set for 21 to 29 August in Pretoria, South Africa. 

Cape Town is scheduled to be the first African country to host the Netball World Cup from July 28 to August 6, 2023 and Kenya is looking to make a debut as one of the six nations that will represent the continent in the global championship. 

"We have 23 players in non-residential training with the squad expected to hit residential camp after the national elections.

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We are waiting on the ministry to communicate the exact dates and venue as they take charge of the team in the last ten days of preparations," offered coach Joseph Makau.  

This is the second time Kenya will be participating in the World Cup qualifiers in the recent past, having made the 2018 competition but lost all matches then. The championship was held in Zambia. 

However, Makau's charges attoned for their sins with a better showing in the Africa Cup in Namibia last year, beating highly-ranked Botswana 46-45 in the championship that served as the Commonwealth Games qualifiers. 

"We managed to narrow down the scores against the powerhouses and the win against Botswana pointed to a massive improvement since 2018. 

Right now we are in a much better place and I beleive the players will be ready for the qualifiers. 

Top of the targets is to maintain our good show against Botswana if we face then and prove that our victory last year was no fluke," added Makau. 

Kenya will be fighting for the three remaining African slots against seven other nations that have confirmed participation at the qualifiers.

Two teams have already qualified by virtue of their World ranking with South Africa taking the third slot as hosts. 

"We also are looking to take wins against teams like Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and Lesotho. No one expected the performance we gave last year and I know everyone is preparing for us.

We will, however, spring some surprises as we really want to be in the World Cup next year," Makau further said.