BJKC 2024: Tough draws as Rwanda face Pool A rival Togo in opening game

Rwanda has been handed a difficult group in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup which kicks off at Kigali Ecology Tennis Courts on Monday June 10. The prestigious tennis tournament which will run until June 15 will see Rwanda battling Cameroon Lesotho, Ethiopia and Togo in Pool A. Togo are one of new faces in Kigali after winning promotion from the 2023 Group V qualifiers. “Tough draw. But it’s a playable pool. My girls are all set and ready to face any opponent. We will see,” Rwanda captain (coach) Sylvian Rutikanga told Times Sport after the draw held at Onomo Hotel on Sunday, June 9. ALSO READ: BJK Cup: Madagascar crowned 2023 Africa Group IV champions Rwanda will face Togo in the opening game of the competition on Monday June 10. The hosts hope to win this year’s tournament to qualify in Group III. Rutikanga will be hoping to rely on the services of new addition Lia Kaishiki who plies her tennis career in Switzerland. The youngster has been training with the rest of the group over the past week and the coach was full of praise of her skills since he saw her on the court. “An good addition to my squad. She is skilled and we hope her contribution will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the team’s performance at the tournament,” Rutikanga said of Kaishiki whose parents are based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Kaishiki is one four top players selected to represent Rwanda at the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup. Asked about Rwanda’s chances of winning the tournament, Olive Tuyisenge was full of respect for Rwanda’s opponents but remains confident that the home crowd will have a say on her team’s performance in Kigali. “We can’t underestimate any opponent coming here. But we are also confident that, with the home support, we can win their tournament and qualify for Group III. We call for people come in big numbers and show us some support,” Tuyisenge said. Meanwhile, Pool B consists of Algeria, who were relegated from Group III last year, DR Congo, Angola and Mozambique. Madagascar won the 2023 Africa Group IV edition after defeating Tanzania in the final. Rwanda finished in the fourth behind Cameroon. The renowned tournament is named after Billie Jean King, the American former world No. 1 professional tennis star who boasts of a whopping 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles.

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BJKC 2024: Tough draws as Rwanda face Pool A rival Togo in opening game