Key lessons for Malkia as they exit World Championships

Malkia Strikers attacker Belinda Barasa in action against Puerto Rico at the World Championships action in Netherlands on October 1, 2022. [Courtesy]

Malkia Strikers picked valuable lessons even as they bowed out at the group stages of the ongoing World women volleyball championships in Netherlands.

Coach Paul Bitok believe all great things in life have to start somewhere and Malkia Strikers have finally started walking and not crawling anymore in world volleyball.

Malkia Strikers might not have realised their dream moment of making it to the second round but they stamped their place as a rising power in women volleyball in the world's game.

They were grouped in pool A whose matches were viewed as David against Goliath.

"We may not have met our target, but we learned a lot at the championship and we hope to continue until we achieve our goals. We have young and senior players with great future.

"The team sacrificed a lot being away for months away from their families, working so hard to achieve better results for our country," said Bitok who assisted Brazilian coach Louizomar Moura at the championships.

He said great things in life take a lot of hardwork, dedication and time, pointing out that Malkia Strikers had glorious moments at the championship, which was felt by the teams that played them.

"We would like to inspire other players from the experiences we went through before the competition. Apart from the competition and training in Brazil and Serbia, we interacted with sports legends and current star players where we learned a lot from them," Bitok said.

He said there are high chances that a number of players will land professional careers in abroad.

"I am convinced beyond doubt that few of our players will land professional deals in the near future, and lift the standards of our national team's level," said Bitok who is set to officially announce his retirement from coaching to focus on volleyball administration.

The coach reiterated that the players have been inspired by the experience they gained at the championship as they had an amazing experience throughout the journey to the championship.

Youthful Veronica Adhiambo, Emmaculate Nekesa, Belinda Nekesa, Magdalene Sande and Veronica Kilabat are some of the players that showed their talent at the championships.

Meanwhile, defending champions Serbia came out on top in one of the most anticipated matches of the first phase of the World Championship as the Europeans downed reigning Olympic champions the United States in Lodz, Poland, on Saturday.