NAIROBI, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- A lack of funds threatens Kenya's preparations for the Euro/Africa Davis Cup Group Two championship that kicks off in February 2019 in Europe.

James Kenani, Tennis Kenya president, says the government is slowing down efforts to raise 80,000 U.S. dollars for the six-member team to travel to South Africa, Egypt and Botswana for build-up matches prior to heading to Europe for the 18-team Group Two qualifiers.

"It is important that we have good preparations and present a strong team at the Davis Cup to earn promotion to Group One or retain our place in Group Two. The tour will give our players an edge before the competition," said Kenani.

Tennis Kenya officials however have not given up hope of sending the team to high performance training camps in South Africa, Egypt and Botswana.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) says the Davis Cup will culminate in an intriguing 18-team final event to be staged at a venue in Europe in December next year.

However, teams in different groups will first have to go through qualification fixtures starting in February. The 118-year-old Davis Cup has recently received a re-branding into a 'World Cup' of tennis format.

The new venture will certainly not favor the majority of African teams and several emerging teams from eastern Europe, who have found a niche in the competition.