Malkia Strikers depart for Morocco training camp with eyes set on Olympic qualification

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VOLLEYBALL Malkia Strikers depart for Morocco training camp with eyes set on Olympic qualification

Festus Chuma 08:45 - 04.07.2023

The team has set sights on Paris 2024 Olympics after selection for the FIVB Challenger Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.

The national Kenya women's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, is set to embark on their journey to Morocco on Tuesday for an intensive training camp ahead of the FIVB Challenger Cup in France and the Africa Cup of Nations.

The team will be split into two batches, with the first group of 12 players and officials departing on Tuesday, followed by the second batch on Thursday.

Ahead of their departure, Malkia Strikers coach Paul Bitok made the tough decision to drop four players from the traveling squad.

Esther Mutinda from KCB, Veronicah Kilabat from KDF, Pamela Adhiambo from Kenya Pipeline, and Delphine Musyoki from Prisons did not make the cut.

"Put your best foot forward as you fly the Kenyan flag. Come back with the qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics," stated Charles Nyaberi, the acting president of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), who expressed his confidence in the team's ability to excel in the upcoming tournaments.

The Malkia Strikers will utilize the FIVB High-Performance training in Morocco to fine-tune their skills, strengthen their strategies, and build team chemistry.

The training camp will serve as a crucial preparation phase before they compete in the Nations Challenger Cup in France from July 25th to 31st.

Following the Challenger Cup, the team will shift their focus to the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for August 18th to 30th in Cameroon.

The FIVB Challenger Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations are both prestigious tournaments that will test the abilities and resilience of the Malkia Strikers.

The team aims to secure their qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, a feat that would bring glory to the nation and make the country proud.

Malkia Strikers traveling squad:

Setters:  Emmaculate Nekesa ( KCB),  Rose Magoi ( Pipeline)

Opposite players: Sharon Chumba (Aris Thessaloniki, Greece,)  Loice Simiyu ( Pipeline)

Outside hitters: Moim Mercy ( KCB),  Veronica Adhiambo (Tarsus Belediyespor, Turkey),Juliana Namutira (KCB), Leonida Kasaya (Pipeline),  Jemimah Siango (DCI), Yvone Wavinya (Prisons)

Libero: Agripina Kundu (Pipeline)

Middle Blockers : Edith Wisah( KCB),Belinda Barasa ( KCB),Lorine Chebet (Prisons),Gladys Ekaru (Pipeline),Trizah Atuka  (Pipeline)