S. OchiengNOC-K presents flight tickets and kits to tennis ace Okutoyi ahead of busy outing
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 25.02.22. | 16:00
Okutoyi will be hoping to defend her African U18 crown and ranking as she head out
The National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) presented 18-year-old junior professional tennis player, Angella Okutoyi with flight tickets and kits as she heads out of the country on 25th February 2022 for five weeks where she is set to take part in different tournaments in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.
The three tournaments will be significant as she sets eyes on the thrilling Grand Slams yet to be played this year: The French Open in May, Wimbledon in June and The US Open later on in September.
“We are delighted to have Angela here with us today. Her career has been on an upward trajectory and we are looking forward to see what more she will achieve. She has an exceptional career ahead,” said NOC-K Athlete Representative Humphrey Kayange.
NOC-K Athletes Rep @humphreykayange_ogw has this afternoon presented the first Kenyan woman to win a Grand Slam Match @angella_okutoyi with kits and air ticket as she heads out for a 5 week Tournament.#TeamKenya pic.twitter.com/3OLrUkNd2X
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) February 24, 2022
Okutoyi has gone ahead to break barriers and make history to become the second woman in Kenya to play in the Grand Slam after Judy Wakhungu and the first woman in Kenya to win a junior Grand Slam match. The reigning, African 18 and Under Junior Champion is ranked 57th in the World, in the ITF Junior Ranking with a career high of 53.
“I would like to thank the National Olympic Committee for financing me and the coach with tickets and fully kitting us as I head to the tournaments,” says Angela who clinched three ITF World Tennis Tour Junior titles last year.
History maker, The first Kenyan woman to play Australian Open and win a Grandslam match.
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) February 1, 2022
Welcome home Angie you did us proud👏👏💪🇰🇪.#TeamKenya @Okutoyiangella2 @tennis_kenya @ITFTennis @moscakenya pic.twitter.com/wjZIsMksBO
“My last week will be in Tunisia, I’m very excited but I have a goal. To defend my title as African champion. My vision is clear,” she added.
IOC Athlete Commission member Humprey Kayange expounded on the Committee’s focus in supporting athletes included in the NOC-K legacy plan. “NOCK is looking to diversify sports in order to increase our representation in Paris 2024 and in Dakar Youth Olympic Games 2026. We are delighted to support and champion Angela through Tennis Kenya.”
On the journey towards Paris 2024, NOC-K will be supporting individuals and teams to assist them to qualify and train well towards the games. Angela will hopefully be among other individual sports athletes to benefit from the Athletes Scholarships of the Olympic Solidarity Program. The Olympic Scholarship will fund her monthly training and competition expenses across the 2022-2024 period
