Kenya national women’s Deaf basketball team coach Mary Chepkoi says exposing the girls to intense matches is the only way to improving their performance.
The team Tuesday May 10, 2022 lost 79-34 to Italy at the quarterfinals stage of the 24th Summer Deaflympics 2021 Games in Caxias Do Sul, Brazil. Previously at the group stage, Kenya lost 97-28 to Turkey, 101-20 to USA and 114-31 to Liuthania.
Nevertheless the national team, progressed to the quarterfinals stage since only eight teams were competing in the women’s category.
In the match played at the Ginasio Vasco da Gama –Sports gym, the ladies gave their best but were let down by poor finishing.
“We will go back home and work on that (poor finishing). We need to take care of the ball and encourage the girls to be confident. Our main challenge is finishing because in moving the ball, we are ok,” said Chepkoi.
“We need to play more intense games. We need to play against teams that will give us pressure and a run for our money. With that, I am sure we will be able to correct our mistakes.
Kenya will play two more ranking matches in the competition.