By OSCAR PILIPLI
There was a lot of anticipation in the air when Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) announced fixtures for first leg of the national league.
Kericho fans were eager to watch what could have been the highlight of the competition- a match pitting defending champions Kenya Prisons and Pipeline.
But the fans would not get that chance to watch some of the top teams in Africa facing off in Kericho when the league serves off tomorrow.
Pipeline has announced that they are not travelling to the town that is renowned for massive tea production.
Pipeline Japheth Munala said: “We’ve written to the federation requesting them to postpone the match. We resumed training yesterday and we’re not ready for the league,” Munala told FeverPitch in Nairobi yesterday.
KVF secretary general Evans Wasike confirmed that he is in possession of Pipeline’s letter requesting their fixture to be deferred to a later date.
“They (Pipeline) say that they have not recovered after playing in CAVB African Club Championships,” he said.
Pipeline together with Prisons represented Kenya in the recent CAVB African Club Championships held in Madagascar.
The oil merchants finished fifth overall in the Championships that was won by Prisons.
The absence of Pipeline means Prisons have only one league fixture, against Blue Triangle, to play in Kericho.
But Kericho fans still have opportunity to watch the African queens in action as Prisons are expected to play in Mutai tournament on Saturday and Sunday.
Other teams expected to report in Kericho include newcomers Sony Sugar and Oserian, Kenya Commercial Bank, National Youth Talent Academy, Nairobi Water and Stima Nyeri.
Despite the absence of Prisons team that is in Libya, the men’s category is expected to be very competitive.
General Service Unit, who are last year’s silver medalists, third place finishers Ulinzi and Forest Rangers, who came fourth overall are among teams to watch in Kericho.
First round fixtures are scheduled to start at 9am and second round at 2pm.
Draws and fixtures for Mutai tournament will be conducted on first day of the competition- Saturday.
