L. MathekaGupta bags Commonwealth Games ticket in gruelling trials
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 21.06.22. | 10:34
The international multi-sport event is scheduled for 28 July to 8 August in Birmingham.
Mombasa-based Badminton ace Saumya Gupta has booked Kenya women’s ticket to the Commonwealth Games after a grueling selection tournament that pitted the top eight women for a single ticket to the Games.
National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) appealed a decision barring Kenya from international competition and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Council, on 27 February 2022, made the decision to allow the country to have a participating team.
The journey to the Commonwealth Games qualification began with two tournaments, the first attracting a total of 97 players, 39 women and 57 men. After a second tournament, the top eight men and women were selected for the trials that ended last week. Gupta clinched the women’s ticket while Sammy Sikoyo was awarded the men’s slot.
“I feel excited and nervous at the same time as there is a lot of work to be done before I can feel confident to play at the world stage. I am grateful for this opportunity. It was tough travelling from Mombasa every time we had a tournament and during the trials.
Everyone wanted this slot and no matter the level of skill or experience we all brought the fighting spirit to the trials. It was a good experience overall but the tougher job begins now,” offered the soft-spoken Gupta.
The two are expected to join team Kenya in residential camp at Kasarani alongside the second-place finishers who will play the role of sparring partners.
“The biggest plan right now is to get used to the feather shuttle, keep up with the physical and just play harder. I get the opportunity to be trained by a new coach and play alongside the men’s winner Sikoyo.
I am hoping to improve my game to a level where I feel confident before I go. This being my first major international tournament, my biggest target is to improve myself and learn something new about the game with each match,” Gupta added.
