National volleyball coach Bitok drops two from Malkia Strikers draft Olympics squad

Head Coach Paul Bitok and Noel Murambi during their training at Kasarani ahead of Tokyo 2020 olympic qualifiers to be held in Cameroon. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The Kenya national women's volleyball team head coach Paul Bitok on Monday trimmed his provisional squad to 14 players ahead of the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.

Bitok dropped Kenya Pipeline outside attacker Pamela Adhiambo and 18-year-old Kenya Commercial Bank budding setter Emmaculate Nekesa ahead of Kenya’s return to the Olympics after 17 years.

Malkia Strikers entered the third phase of training at the Kasarani Indoor Arena as Bitok commended the players who made it to the 14 member team.

They will then leave for Kurume City in Japan on July 5 for the final phase where the team will train for another two weeks.

“I would like to congratulate the players who made it to the 14 member team for their dedication and hard work. I also take this opportunity to thank the two talented young players who were dropped in the subsequent phases,” he said.

Bitok urged Nekesa and Adhiambo not to give up but continued working hard.

“The effort and commitment you put in showed that you have a great potential and a promising future in your volleyball career. At the age of 18 and 19 if you maintain these standards you will be among the best in the near future and I wish you all the best,” he added.

The tactician urged the remaining players to be relentless in fighting for their position in the team and focus ahead of the Olympics.

“For the remaining players, focus on improving the standards of Malkia strikers. Status report from all coaches indicates that you all have equal chances in the current team and 12 players will be selected from the 14 members,” he said.

“At any point never relax simply because you have made it to the 14 member team. Be always alert and mindful and continue training harder since we still have a great task ahead of us”

Bitok also thanked his fellow coaches led by Luizomar from Brazil for their great training sessions and the new skills they have impacted to our team.

Kenya will face Japan, Serbia, Brazil, South Korea and the Dominican Republic in Pool “A” at the Tokyo Olympics. 

Malkia Strikers Final Squad

Noel Murambi, Mercy Moim, Leonida Kasaya, Pamela Jepkurui, Sharon Chepchumba, Emmaculate Chemutai, Violet Makuto, Joy Lusenaka, Jane Wacu, Agrippina Kundu, Elizabeth Wanyama, Edith Wisa, Gladys Ekaru and Lorine Chebet.

Players Out- Emmaculate Nekesa, Pamela Adhiambo

Coach Paul Bitok