Tag: Kenya women’s national volleyball team news

Yes, players are pregnant but won’t miss Championship-Federation comes clean

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

After a photo stating that the Kenyan Volleyball team might miss the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Japan because all the team members were pregnant, many didn’t believe.

The Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) has come out to state that the team won’t miss the championship but, it’s true the members are pregnant.

A media presser by the federation shared that five members are actually pregnant but that won’t stop them from heading to Japan to compete.

“We also want to note that the aforementioned (pregnant) players (Brackides Agala, Esther Wangeci, Lydia Maiyo, Mildred Odwako and Ruth Jepngetich) served the national team in the best possible way during their time but have not been drafted in the provisional squad currently training at the Kasarani indoor stadium ahead of the international tournament,” read the statement.

Still going

They shot down a photo that has been doing round online stating that they are set to miss the event.

“Therefore, it is really uncalled for to say the team is handicapped when as a country we have amazing talent to choose from.”

Kenya women’s national volleyball team defied all odds to qualify for World Championship in Japan

Posted on by Martin Oduor

Kenya women’s national volleyball team ‘Malaika’ qualified the 2018 FIVB World Championship in Japan against insurmountable odds. Looking back at their campaign so far it is hard not to marvel at the incredible solidarity and professionalism Malkia have shown amid the backdrop of setbacks.

Malaika kick started their qualification campaign with a lot of hiccups including inadequate training. The team was locked out of their training facility in Kasarani following wrangles with Sports Kenya – the state corporation that maintains Kasarani Indoor Arena.

The impasse was finally resolved after SportPesa intervened. SportPesa, which has been on the forefront sponsoring all sporting activities in Kenya, believed in Malkia’s ability to shine in the continental showpiece in Cameroon when everyone turned a blind eye to their plight.

Malkia during African Women Volleyball Championship in Cameroon.
Malkia during African Women Volleyball Championship in Cameroon. Photo/Capital FM

The gaming giant came through and made sure Malkia trained for the few remaining days before they flew to Cameroon for the African Women Volleyball Championship.

The national women volleyball team put up an impressive performance in Cameroon. They qualified for world championship after beating continental giants Egypt in pulsating semifinal.

Impressive performance from Malkia’s strikers Jane Wacu, Mercy Moim and Edith Wisa ensured Kenya booked a place in the 2018 FIVB World Championship in Japan. They hammered Egypt winning 25-23, 25-22 and 25-19.

Malkia in action against Egypt.
Malkia in action against Egypt. Photo/Capital FM

Malkia however failed to win the 2017 African Women Volleyball Championship even though they reached the finals. But they previously won the same competition for a record 9 times. If SportPesa hadn’t intervened to facilitate the training camp perhaps Malkia’s performance would have been worse.

SportPesa alone without the support of Kenyans can’t do much. If only Kenyans could believe in Malkia like the way SportPesa did, then no obstacle is too great to overcome. If we believe in ourselves there is nothing we can’t achieve.

Malkia celebrate after they secured ticket to the 2018 FIVB World Championship in Japan.
Malkia celebrate after they secured ticket to the 2018 FIVB World Championship in Japan. Photo/Capital Fm

It’s only through our support that we can ensure absurd thing like Malkia being locked out of their training facility never happens again. The national women volleyball team can actually win the 2018 FIVB World Championship in Japan. But first we Kenyans have a role to play, we have to start by believing in our team. Tujiamini.