WE ARE GOING TO CONGO: Malkia Strikers say they will play at AAG and not World Cup

VOLLEYBALL MALKIA QUEENS
National Women Volleyball team Coach David Lung'aho, centre, lead part of National Women Volleyball team, Malkia Queens, for a photo on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport after winning FIVB Grand Prix in Australia on Tuesday night, July 15, 2015. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO.Caption

“We are not going to Japan, we want Congo,” was the message from senior Malkia Strikers players to the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) when the triumphant volleyball team arrived in the country on Wednesday night from Australia.

The African champions, who qualified for next year’s FIVB Grand Prix Group 2 after beating Peru 3-1 in the final, are expected to play in the World Cup in Japan and All Africa Games (AAG) in Congo Brazzaville, but unfortunately the two tournaments are overlapping.

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

KVF is insisting on retaining the senior team for the global event and send the junior team to Congo.

However, the decision has not gone well with most of the Malkia Strikers’ players who prefer to play in the AAG, for a financial windfall.

Speaking upon arrival on Wednesday night, team captain and Chamalières (France) middle blocker Brackcides Agala couldn’t hide her discontent. “What I know is that we are going to the All Africa Games because the World Cup is coming before AAG. We have not won AAG since 1999, but I believe this is a winning team and has what it takes to break that jinx and bring the cup home. The players are set to go to Congo, nowhere else,” said Agala.

Decorated setter and assistant captain Janet Wanja, who overcame illness to inspire Malkia to their first ever global title, said: “I have won many individual awards (best setter), African Cup of Nations, Club Champions and now Grand Prix.

“The only thing I am hoping to win is the All Africa Games. It is our hope that KVF will give us a chance to play at AAG because that’s the dream of all players,” said Wanja.

Setter Jane Wacu also echoed Wanja’s sentiments, saying Algerian was also sending a junior team to Japan.

KVF chairman Waithaka Kioni admitted that they are in a dilemma, but said his federation is doing everything possible to resolve the stand-off.

Coach David Lung’aho said they will have strong teams in both events.