Mixed sprint rowing team to battle for bronze in Hammamet

• The team lost in the semi-finals
• The women’s handball team will also be playing for podium
• The men and women’s singles also set for Monday

 Kenya’s Diana Natecho and Harrison Malenga will contest for a bronze medal in the mixed sprint rowing event on the third day of the Africa Beach Games in Hammamet, Tunisia, on Monday morning.

The duo lost in the semi-finals on Sunday evening to the Moroccan team of Mraghi Ibrahim and Majdouline El Allaoui, and will now go head to head with Algeria in the bronze medal match.

The Algerians were beaten by hosts Tunisia, in the other semi-final.

“I think we have really tried our level best because if you look at our experience, this was the first time we were competing using this equipment. I want to laud our two rowers because I believe they have done very well,” said coach Mathew Lidaywa, speaking after the day’s events.

He added; “We are motivated by the fact that we are going for a medal and we will fight to get it for Team Kenya. I am confident that we have the ability.”

Against Morocco, the Kenyan team struggled at the bend of the 250m turn back to shore, and that is where the North Africans took advantage with a quick turn and a back sprint to earn the win.

Morocco better on the sprint after turn 

Diana Natecho with a sprint finish. PHOTO/NOCK

The Kenyan team timed 2:50.790 while the Moroccans had a better time of 2:33.860.

Earlier on in the quarters, Natecho and Malenga had shown their prowess with a well worked win over Togo’s Tegla Louret and Kouhode Mahukpego. They timed 2:52.380 to take victory.

Meanwhile, the women’s handball team will also contest for a medal on the final day on Monday when they take on hosts Tunisia in their final match of the round-robin series of five teams.

The team would have assured themselves of either gold or silver on the penultimate day of handball action, but a straight sets defeat to neighbors Uganda complicated their chances, though they are already assured of being on the podium. They have two wins after victories against Mali and Algeria.