Kenyan sprint rowers target smooth sailing in Hammamet wavy waters

The duo of Harrison Malenga and Diana Natecho will be flying Kenya’s flag on the waters of Hammamet, Tunisia on Saturday when they saddle up for their first event in sprint beach rowing.

The duo, alongside their coach Mathew Lidaywa have been in Tunisia for the past one week training and acclimatizing as well as getting used to competition equipment, and they say they are ready to do their best in the competition.

“We have been here for a week now, and we are getting used to the equipment and the water as well and I believe we are doing okay. We are preparing to do our best and the target is to try to fight for a medal position and qualify for the World Championship,” said coach Lidaywa.

He added; “Competition will be stiff because there are countries who have had access to this equipment for longer. The hosts Tunisia of course are used to the water and they will have an advantage. But we are ready.”

 Malenga will be competing in a Kenyan jersey for the first time and he says he is excited, and echoes the coach’s sentiment that they will battle for a medal.

“I am really excited to be competing for Kenya. I have only participated once outside the country when I travelled to South Africa in February, but it was just a friendly tour. The past one week has been really beneficial being here and getting used to everything. At first the waves were too strong for me but now I am used to it. I am ready for a medal fight,” the 24-year old stated.

Natecho meanwhile is competing in her second international event, having had prior experience from Namibia last year, but this will be the first time doing sprint beach rowing.

“We are really confident as a team and personally also, I feel ready. It is the first time using such boats but training with them since last week has helped us get used to them and have some confidence as well. We are now ready,” she added.

The sprint rowers will be the first Kenyans to compete in Hammamet, before the men and women’s handball teams take to the sand.

 In the sprint rowing event, the competition involves a one on one race starting with a 30-50m run in the sand to board a boat. They will then board the boats and row in a 250m distance then turn around straight to the beach then finish with another 30-50m run.