Dating is hard- Kenyan national volleyball star Trizah Atuka

 

Pulse: How do you feel being considered as one of the most promising volleyball players in the country?

Trizah: I am flattered, but at my age it’s a pleasure to be among the best players. It’s by the grace of God.

P: It all used to be about Wanja and Wacu but all the attention seems to be on you right now. How do you handle the pressure of being in the limelight and attention from male fans?

T: I try to seek advice and learn from my predecessors in order to avoid making headlines for the wrong reasons. As for my male fans I try to be nice to them considering they make me who I am. Despite this I have a limit to how I relate to them.

P: Girls like hanging out with the loved ones during their free time. Who do you spend yours with?

T: I hang out with my family members in Kitale and watch movies.

P: That leaves your boyfriend out of the picture, or don’t you have one?

T: No I don’t.

P: Why not?

T:I would like to keep it that way for the moment in order to focus more on my education and passion for volleyball.

P: Is that the only reason why you are not dating right now.

T: It is a question of what makes priority in your life. Besides it is hard to find honest men who will love you for who you are and not what you do. It is hard dating.

P: In a while, say five years, this story will have changed...right...

T: You never know. Let us wait and see.

P: You have been described as the younger version of one of the pillars of Malkia Strikers, star Jane Wacu. What is your take?

T: Everyone is entitled to their opinion and it’s a good thing. Unlike Wacu who plays the position of a setter, I am middle blocker also known as centre player.

P: When did you earn your national team call up and how difficult was it?

T: I joined the national team in 2014 but made my international debut last year. At first it was not easy as I experienced field fright but I was surprised with how quick I adapted to the team. I owe it to the experienced players for their friendliness.

P: What inspired your passion for volleyball?

T: Volleyball has been a big part of me ever since I was eight. I would often accompany my elder sister, Ann Mumu, a former volleyball coach at Kijabe Girls for training. With time my passion for the sport grew although I never had the chance to showcase my skill as a pupil at Musoli Primary due to lack of structures. But I got a chance to nature my talent at Mukumu Girls High where I was even given the captain’s role.

P: Mukumu High has produced players like yourself, Janet Wanja and other top players. What is it with Mukumu?

T: Maybe, it is because of the environment and diet. Volleyball is a tradition at Mukumu and has qualified coaches who scout for technically gifted players and teach them how to amplify their volleyball skills.

P: How do you juggle between academics and volleyball?

T: It’s all about personal discipline and time management. There is always time for training and time to study. However, there was some resistance from my mum.

P: OK...

T: With time I was forced to change my education programme from a regular to part-time (online) and struck a balance between the two.

P: What is your take on Braxcides Agala and Janet Wanja’s exclusion from the team?

T: Blackie and Wanja were key players in the team and we will for sure miss them. Personally, I bonded with them and they played a big role in my development. However, we must move on and focus on the upcoming assignments starting with this month’s Olympics Qualifiers that starts off in Cameroon on February 12 (today).

P: Best and worst moments in your career?

T: The most memorable moment was when we won the World Grand Prix in July last year, our first ever global title. I don’t have really a worst moment, but I am always embarrassed whenever I get hit in the face with a ball.

P: What’s the toughest thing about practice?

T: Running boards. It’s like committing suicide. This is a strenuous practice exercise where we push a board across the floor to the ten foot line and back.

P: What is your take on spandex?

T: They are actually comfortable except moments when you wear them for a long time. Fans like girls wearing them. Some guys come to the game just to watch the girls, but once they are there they really get into the game and start cheering.

P: What is your typical training week like?

T: I train for seven hours every weekday - that is to say four hours in the morning and the remaining three in the afternoon. There are times when we go all through to the weekends.