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After a faulty campaign in the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo-Brazzaville where they failed to clinch a single medal, the national Tae Kwondo Team is determined to upset the apple cart among fancied sides in the 2019 edition, which is scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco, on August 19-31.

Nesmas Wesonga, the coach of the men’s team, which is holding concurrent residential training with three other martial arts in karate and judo in Kasarani, to expect an improved side.

“North and West African sides are known for their obduracy in the sport but we are determined to give them a run for their money,” said Wesonga.

 The veteran tactician reckoned that the exposure from playing Egyptian national team as well as featuring in the Rwanda Memorial Tournament might come in handy as they plot on the downfall of their opponents.

“The team played the Genocide Cup courtesy of the Kenya Tae Kwondo Federation and coupled with the fact that it had full residential training thereafter we can only expect the best from the exponents. I expect at least medals this time round said Wesonga soon after unveiling the final squad.

Men’s team captain Brian Nyore said this was one of the best preparations the national outfits have ever had ahead of an international event, which is a morale booster with his sentiments shared by his women’s counterpart Mary Mureu.

Kenya will be hoping to replicate the haul from the Games in 2007 in Algeria when Dickson Wamwiri clinched gold, a feat that has never been achieved todate.

In the meantime, morale was equally high in the Karate team, which is predominantly, weaved around young players.

During the last edition in Congo, the team managed a single bronze but, team manager Gabriel Njoroge is optimistic that his side’s’s fortunes will change for the better especially with the presence of experienced exponent and skipper David Kimani who will be the only representatives in the kata category.

Kimani rued the government decision to fund for only a quota of 10 exponents due to financial limitations but nonetheless exuded confidence Kenya would do well at the games.

“We have experienced opponents like Geogina Kanini (61kg), Abubakar Otieno (67kg) as well as Steve Wesonga (75kg) all who are bright medal prospects in the games,” said the coach Patrick Kiarie.