Betting firm comes to the rescue of Malkia Strikers

Malkia Strikers players in a recent action. [CAVB]

National women’s volleyball team Malkia Strikers have a reason to smile ahead of their departure for a two-month training camp in Brazil in readiness for the World Championships.

This is after team received Sh10 million sponsorship from betting firm Mozzart Bet on Friday.

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) vice president Charles Nyaberi termed the sponsorship as a reprieve to the team.

“Our preparation for the World Championships to be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Poland in September is expensive and Mozzart’s sponsorship came at the right time,” said Nyaberi.

However, Nyaberi said the team’s travel to Brazil remains uncertain as the government is yet to support the team that has a budget of Sh46 million.

“Malkia Strikers are due to jet out tomorrow (Sunday) but we have to reschedule the traveling program as we are still stuck in a financial quagmire” said Nyaberi.

“We have named the final squad but we don’t know when the team will travel. I appeal for the government support to enable the team to have adequate training abroad before traveling to Netherlands for the global championship,” said Nyaberi as he thanked the betting firm for the timely support.

He said Sh23.6 million is needed for the Brazil training, Sh6.5 million for the Serbian camp and Sh15.9 million for the World Championships set for September 23-October 15.

At the same time, experienced Kenya Prisons middleblocker Emmaculate Chemtai and her Kenya Pipeline counterpart Trizah Atuka have been dropped from the team ahead of their European trip.

Head coach Paul Bitok named a strong-16 member squad that has youthful quintet of Belinda Barasa, Magdalene Mwende,  Emmaculate Nekesa, Veronica Kilaba and Veronica Makokha.