Volleyballers boycott training ahead Australia tie

Kenya's volleyball players celebrates a point during their Africa Cup of Nation against Mauritius at Kasarani Gymnesium on June 12, 2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

National women’s volleyball team Malkia Strikers boycotted training yesterday morning ahead of today’s semi-final clash of the FIVB World Grand Prix against hosts Australia after reports emerged they will be split into two for the upcoming major assignments.

The African champions are expected to play in the World Cup finals in Japan and All Africa Games (AAG) in Congo, Brazzaville, but unfortunately two tournaments will be held nearly at the same time.

The World Cup is set for August 22-September 6 while the AAG will be held on September 4-19.

Initially, head coach David Lung’aho had told Feverpitch they were considering taking the junior team to Japan and senior team to Congo. But barely 24 hours before locking horns with Australia, in Canberra, the team sat out of training and expressed their displeasure to Kenya Volleyball Federation vice chairman Kipkemei Sirma, also the head of delegation.

“Reports reached us that the federation has split this team into two. Some players will go to the World Cup, while others will feature in the All Africa Games. Really it does not make sense at this stage for such development to occur,” said team captain Brackcides Agala.

“We are told junior players will then be added to these two teams, but we are not sure if they are actually training back at home.

“My request to the KVF is to maintain this team and send the juniors to Japan.” Agala further said the players were unhappy over unpaid allowances.

“We were paid Sh50,000 by the Federation and additional Sh25,000 by the government when we left Nairobi. How are supposed to function with Sh75,000, in three countries?’’ asked Agala.

However, when contacted, KVF chairman Waithaka Kioni promised to pay the players their allowances upon arrival from Australia.

“The team has made us proud and as the federation, we promise to reward them handsomely upon arrival. We didn’t know they will go that far, but I understand the vice chairman held a meeting with the players and addressed their grievances,” said Kioni.

He said a final decision on the World Cup and AAG teams will be made after the national executive committee meeting today.