The Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) must move with speed to resolve the crisis at the national team, Malkia Strikers, which is preparing for the Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship.
The continental championship that begins on Tuesday next week at the Moi International Sport Centre, Kasarani Indoor Arena, is so crucial that the team needs a conducive atmosphere to produce results. The championship serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup that will be co-hosted by Canada and the United States of America, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Malkia Strikers, the defending champions, are seeking their 11th cup success to date as well as qualification for their fifth Olympic Games. The top three teams will qualify for the World Cup, while only one team will get a ticket as Africa’s representative to the Los Angeles Olympics. All has not been well for the team, which has been in camp for over three weeks, and it is shameful that the young players in the team have been subjected to a poor introduction to the top level.
The team has been without proper training kit, nutrition, allowances and build-up matches, a situation that can seriously ruin the country’s ability and ambition to qualify for the two most crucial events. This is the time that Malkia Strikers players should be focusing on delivering the country to the World Cup and Olympics, and not crying out because of the poor conditions in camp.
This is not the first time Malkia Strikers have expressed concerns, after they also went public demanding that their allowances be paid during last year’s World Championship in Thailand. The young team has been working hard in camp and it’s only fair for KVF and the Sports Ministry to reciprocate by providing a conducive atmosphere and motivation.
The country can’t talk about taking more teams to the Olympics when we are killing the goose that lays the golden egg.
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