NAIROBI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will have a women's handball team competing at the African Games in Rabat, Morocco after its appeal to the sport's continental governing body was upheld on Thursday.
Kenya, who lost to Uganda 28-24 in the Zone Five Africa qualifiers the first leg and was due to play in the second leg in Nairobi, delayed sending the tournament fees, which led to the zonal body to disqualify the team.
However, during an appeal to African Handball Confederation (CAHB), Kenya proved the money had been wired in time.
Now both Uganda and Kenya have been cleared to compete at the African Games, which will take place in Rabat from Aug. 19-30.
Kenya Handball Federation fixture secretary Charles Omondi said they hope to do well in the African Games.
"Our appeal was upheld and we have been given a new lifeline. The team starts its preparations for the African Games immediately. The new development gives the team the challenge to redeem themselves, not only against Uganda but also in the event generally," said Omondi.
The CAHB has clarified that the African Games will not be used as the qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.
Instead, Africa will organize a separate qualifying tournament in January where the top 12 ranked teams will contest with the winner securing qualification to Tokyo 2020 games.
Kenya has now been drawn in Group B alongside Cameroon, Senegal and Uganda. The Kenyan team is coached by Jack Ochieng, who said he seeks revenge against Uganda and a chance to navigate through the group stage to the finals.
"We want to prove a point and the team is upbeat they will utilize the trust shown to them by winning a medal in Rabat," said Ochieng.
