Malkia Strikers' Olympics preps trip to Brazil called off
Women in Sports
By
Elvince Joshua and Waweru Titus
| May 02, 2021
The planned trip by Kenya Women’s national volleyball team Malkia Strikers to Brazil has been called off by the Government.
The Ministry of Health turned down a request on Saturday by the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) to have the team pitch a 45-day camp in Brazil as part of the team’s preparation for the forthcoming Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
“Brazil is currently experiencing widespread community transmission of Covid-19 with a surge in cases and deaths in the past few weeks.
A review of the situation in Brazil indicates that the current surge may persist for several weeks.
“The surge has been thought to be driven by more transmissible variant circulating in the country,” read a statement by Patrick Amoth, Director General of Health.
President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the return of sporting activities in the country a month after suspension due to rise of COVID-19 infections.
Announcing the new directive on Saturday, May 1, during Labour Day celebrations, President Uhuru said Government reached the decision after COVID-19 infections reduced significantly.
The Head of State, however, pointed out that the resumption shall be guided by the regulations issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Sports headed by Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.
“That the resumption of sporting activities shall be guided by the regulations to be issued by the Ministry of Health jointly with the Ministry of Sports,” Uhuru said on Saturday.
Between March and April, the infection rate in Nairobi went down by 74 per cent.
In zoned counties (Kiambu, Nakuru, Kajiado and Machakos), it reduced by an average of 72 per cent.
The suspension of sports from March has had a huge impact on the FKF Kenyan Premier League, the Kenya Cup, the Kenya Basketball League and the National Volleyball League among other leagues.