Kudos Malkia Strikers, AAG beckons

The national volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, deserve a pat on their backs for winning the All Africa Games (AAG) qualifiers in Uganda. The victory at the Zone Five qualifiers mean the team will once again play in this year’s games in Morocco.

Kenya are the defending champions and have a chance to show why they are the best in Africa. But even as the team basks in the glory of qualification, they need sound preparation ahead of the continental games.

It is unfortunate that Malkia Strikers went to Uganda without any meaningful build-up matches. The players also left for Kampala late and without travel allowances. There are at least two months before the AAG start and in between, the Kenya Volleyball Federation and the Ministry of Sports must ensure the team is well prepared and the players are concentrating on training, not worrying too much about allowances.

This is the only way the team will get good results and build on the good form they are enjoying. As a country, we are guilty of sending ill-prepared teams to international tournaments and expecting good results. With the Sports Fund in place, there is no reason for the team not to be adequately funded to take part in international build-up matches.

More importantly, the players must also be treated well and their allowances paid in time. What happened before the team left for Uganda should not recur. It only demoralises players and lowers our nation’s standing.