Angella Okutoyi’s insight on the plight of African Tennis Players in Olympic Qualification

“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’s on !! 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. 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 , my coach @francisrogoi , @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 on 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 “#noweakness,” she wrote.

✓ Okutoyi won’t be going to Paris Olympic Games despite being one of the best tennis players in Africa.