Odumbe wants to go on and on if given a chance
Wednesday, March 12 2003 17:07 Hrs (IST)

Bloemfontein: Former Kenyan skipper Maurice Odumbe is having so much fun at the World Cup that he wants to play in the 2011 tournament - at the age of 42.

Odumbe, a veteran from the 1996 World Cup, is an integral part of his team's semi- final push here which continues on Wednesday with a Super Six clash against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein.

"This is just a dream come true," said the 34-year-old.

"It's the sweetest World Cup for all of us. We have beaten two Test-playing nations (Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) and we are in the second round for the first time.

"I've targeted the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies and will look at my health before deciding whether or not I will play in the 2011 tournament.

"I have a few niggling injuries but I don't think that will hold me back. I'm enjoying the game - it's a tremendous sport and I will play as long as I can, provided my country needs me," Odumbe told the ‘Johannesburg Star’.

Having given up the captaincy last year, Odumbe insists that even if Kenya fail to make the semi-finals, it will still consider its performance a great success.

"We came to South Africa with no real plans of qualifying for the Super Sixes," said the veteran.

"We said to ourselves, if we get there it will be well and good.

"Now that we are there, if we win a game or two it will be a bonus. But if we don't we must enjoy the game."

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
African brothers to battle for survival in Super Six