SCALING THE HEIGHTS: Soweto Academy aims to qualify for national games

Soweto Academy Volleyball team before clinching girls’ volleyball title during the Nairobi Secondary Schools Sports Association at Starehe Boys Centre on July 6, 2014. [PHOTO:JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

A distant glance depicts Soweto Academy just like an extension of sprawling Kibera slum in Nairobi.
The school is located deep inside the slum which is believed to be the largest in Africa.

But Soweto has defied its challenges, including the geographical location, to sit at to the apex of the sport of volleyball in Nairobi.

The school’s team that is better known as “Mighty Minnows” defended their title after they edged out Buru Buru High 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-20) in a girls final to remain on the throne of volleyball in Nairobi County at Starehe Boys Centre last Sunday.

The feat saw Soweto qualify for the Metropolitan Games for the second time in a row.
Caroline Chepkoech who is captain of the team is confident that they will win Metropolitan Games on this occasion.

Soweto lost against Kwanthanze in the “Metro” final that were staged at Makindu last year.
Chepkoech said: “We narrowly missed to qualify for the National Championships after we lost against Kwanthanze last year.”
“We’ve been training hard since last year and we want to go a step further by winning the regional games and play in the Nationals,” she said.

Chepkoech, who is a key player in the Soweto team, said their close association with national league side Kenya Prisons has inspired them to perform better in the games.
Soweto are enjoying coaching services of Prisons setters Sally Wanjala and Florence Moraa.
The team also has Prisons and national team coach David Lung’aho as their technical director.

Chepkoech said that the Prisons experts have taught them valuable skills, especially in covering, service and attack.
Soweto stormed volleyball scene after they beat well established schools to emerge Nairobi queens last year.

The players who are expected to propel the team to stardom this year include Irene Chepkoech, Carolyne Wangeci, Zainabu Alemu, Christine Kones, Susy Ititia, Cynthia Ombito and Ruth Chemtai.

Others are Stephanie Njeri, Esther Jerito, Lilian Akinyi and Claire Webulo.
Soweto Principal Johnstone Makabwa said the team has the potential to perform better but lack of resources was hampering their efforts.

“We face so many challenges like lack of training field and playing kit,” he said.

“The girls are not exposed because they don’t play build-up matches due to lack of funds,” he added.
Makabwa said that volleyball for girls was at its lowest ebb and Soweto was on track to return the region to the top of the game.

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