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National Men’s Volleyball team has accused the Kenya Volleyball Federation of neglecting and mistreating them ahead of the African Nations Championships slated for July 20-31 in Cairo, Egypt.
While their counterparts, the Malkia Strikers are enjoying success and celebrating their recent FIVB World Grand Prix victory, the Men’s team is struggling in their preparations for the upcoming tournament.
The team, which has been at Kasarani Gymnasium since July 8 broke camp on Wednesday to allow players feature for their respective teams in this weekend’s KVF league in Bungoma.
In an interview with Feverpitch, a player who sought anonymity said their participation in the upcoming continental showpiece hangs in balance as the federation has demanded for the uniforms they swapped with their Rwandese opponents during the All Africa Games Zone 5 qualifiers in May.
“We don’t know if some of us will travel to Cairo because KVF has ordered us to get back the uniforms we exchanged with our opponents in Rwanda two months ago. We have been told if we don’t provide the uniforms by today (Friday), we will not go to Egypt,” said the player.
“People are complaining that we don’t perform, but with such preparation and treatment how can get good results against a team like Egypt. who recently qualified for the Grand Prix group two?”
Head coach Geoffrey Omondi admitted they are not getting the treatment they deserve as the national team.
“KVF has explained to us that they don’t have money. They have spent a lot on the women’s team and are not in position of buying another set of uniform. So if somebody gave out his uniform he will have to get it back before we travel,” said Omondi, who named his 12-man travelling party on Wednesday before breaking camp.
“It is true we are not at par with the ladies’ team because they have sponsorship, so focus is not on us. We need to improve for us to get the same treatment.”
When contacted, tough talking KVF chairman Waithaka Kioni warned the players that the federation is not intending to buy them a new set of uniforms for the Cairo trip.
“We are struggling to support this team financially and they are being wasteful.
Just like the women team, we bought them three expensive set of uniforms. That’s pretty nonsense and unacceptable even Malkia Strikers don’t do that,” scoffed Kioni.
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