Chemos attracts Europe interest! Dynamo Moscow and Nice fight for Kenyan international signature

Nairobi Water and Seawerage Company Chairman's Cup Prison's Michael Chemos reacts in a game against GSU during the 1st Nairobi Water and Seawerage Company Chairman's Cup at Ndakaini Stadium on Friday, April 28, 2017. {PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Free agent attacker ready for move to either France or Russia.

National men’s volleyball team right attacker Michael Chemos could be on his way to either France or Russia, The Standard Sports can reveal.

The Kenya Prisons attacker, whose short term contract with Qatar League side Al Arabi expired recently, has been linked with a move to top European clubs, Dynamo Moscow (Russia) and Nice (France).

“I am out of contract with Al Arabi. I have received many offers from Nice (France) and Dynamo Moscow (Russia), but I am still weighing the options.

“I doubt if I will be going back to Qatar,” Chemos said after inspiring national champions Kenya Prisons to Nairobi Water Chairman’s Cup triumph in Ndakaini at the weekend.

“Al Arabi might be interested in extending my contract, but it will all depend on their offer and my manager’s decision.”

Chemos joined Finnish side Raision Loimun in September 2016 before Al Arabi bought out his contract in December. His contract was the first to be bought out in the 59-year history of Loimun.

Chemos went on to inspire Al Arabi (48 points) to a third place finish, five points behind champions Police in the recently concluded Qatar Volleyball Association League season.

Philip Maiyo’s Al Rayyan Club finished fourth with 46 points.

Although the 26-year-old attacker is one of Prisons’ key players, coach Gideon Chenje said they cannot stand in the way of a player who wishes to pursue greener pastures.

“Of course no coach would wish to release such a talented player like Chemos. But as a club, we cannot stand in his way.

“We have just started vigorous training and I am confident he is going to make a phenomenal contribution to the team.

“It will be more advantageous to have him in the team and I am prepared to use him when he is around.

“But in case he leaves, we have his perfect replacements.”

Commenting on Prisons’ slow start to their title defence campaign after losing 3-1 (25-18,26-24,25-21,25-22) to rivals General Service Unit in Ndakaini, Chemos said: “I cannot be critical of our day one league performance because these guys are just from indoor games in Tunisia.

“Yes, we were prepared, but it took us some time to adapt to the outdoors facility and that is why we lost to GSU in the league match.”

Elsewhere, eight elite club teams from around the world will compete at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship from May 9 to 14 in the city of Kobe in Japan

The continental club championship winners from Asia, Europe, and South America have been awarded a spot in the Club World Championship together with host club, Hisamitsu Springs of Kobe.

Hisamitsu Springs’ rival club, Kawasaki-based NEC Red Rockets, topped Bayi Shenzhen of China in straight sets in the 2016 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Binan, Philippines, to qualify for the annual world event.

Women’s Championships

VakifBank Istanbul of Turkey make a back-to-back appearance at the Club World Championship after they swept Italy’s Imoco Volley Conegliano 3-0 in the European Women’s Championship final in Treviso, Italy.

Rexona-SESC Rio won their third consecutive South American Women’s Club Championship title to earn the Club World Championship berth following their 3-1 triumph over country rivals, Dentil/Praia Clube.

Volei Nestle Osasco are another Brazilian squad that made it through the tough field this year as a wild card entry.

The Sao Paulo-based club recently challenged South American club champions Rexona in an epic five-set clash, where the latter prevailed 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 18-25, 15-6) in the Brazilian Superliga.

Three European clubs — Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul, Volero Zurich, and Dinamo Moscow — complete the eight-team roster.