LOOMING STANDOFF: Kenya to name junior team for Africa Games against wish of Malkia Strikers

Kenya’s Malkia Strikers core team that won the FIVB Group 3 Grand Prix in Australia on Sunday will be retained for the volleyball World Cup, which starts in Japan on August 22.
Waithaka Kioni, the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) chairman, said the team will not be entered for the All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo starting on September 4–19. Instead, the federation will name a second-string team to represent the country at the continental games, which are organised by the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa.

However, FeverPitch has learnt a stand-off could be in the offing as the players are unhappy with the decision, for they prefer to play in the All Africa Games, for a financial windfall. The players’ wish may not be granted, going by an interview with Kioni.

“We agreed that the team will remain together for cohesion and harmony. They will be taking part in the World Cup in Japan. We want to maintain the spirit and not break up the team so that they can continue building on what they have attained so far and go on to meet top sides like Cuba and Brazil. That way they will be able to learn more,” said Kioni.

But a senior player who did not wish to be named said: “Frankly speaking, the players want to go to Congo and not Japan. The federation should have listened to our side of story before making that decision. Our focus is on All Africa games because it has a more lucrative prize money than the World Cup and we are confident of winning it.

“We are human beings and we survive on allowances, which to us are not enough,” said a senior player who sought anonymity.” But when contacted head coach David Lung’aho remained coy on the issue.

“We will discuss when I get back home but we have to respect their decision,” Lung’aho told Feverpitch.
Kioni however insists: “Kenya has many players and they should not worry about Africa Games, but focus on doing well in Japan. They have done us proud to win in Australia.”

The World Cup in Japan will mark the start of the road to Rio Olympic Games in 2016, but it is just one step on a long journey between the two events. The World Cup Japan is the first step on the road to qualification for the Games, allowing teams a head-start in their preparations for Rio 2016. The top four teams in Japan will win the ticket to Brazil, while the rest will still have the chance to qualify for the Olympics through the continental system.

Evans Wasike, the KVF Secretary General, said Kenya together with the men’s winner Egypt, have proved that Africa, given a little support, have the potential to emerge from their slumber and conquer the world in volleyball.

“The teams have shown that we can win. Earlier, Africa was considered a weak continent, but we are now picking up the pieces and will be taking on the giants of the sport at the global arena as equal opponents,” said Wasike.

But he asked of more corporate sponsorship to help the team attain its goals. Malkia Strikers are sponsored by National Oil Corporation of Kenya (Nock) and Wasike believes the other teams also need to be supported.

“Our league, too, needs to be supported and more funds channeled there. We need to get them appreciated and we will see the best out of their talent,” he added.
Paul Bitok, the former Kenyan international, who is now the Rwanda national coach, sent his congratulatory message to the team for their achievement and urged them to focus on the bigger assignment at the World Cup and leave the Africa Games to the emerging talent.
“KVF should continue aiming higher and take the same team to World Cup, it’s the right moment to continue with same spirit and meet big teams like Brazil. I believe Kenya has many players and they should not worry about Africa Games,” said Bitok.

Kenya secured the ticket to the World Cup in Japan after winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Nairobi and also qualified for the All Africa Games after winning the Zone 5 Championships played in Kampala Uganda in April.

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