KDF capture Prisons: KCB trounced in volleyball played in Malaba

By Oscar Pilipili

Talent Academy volleyball team (in white) puts up their blocks against Mukumu Girls during a Kenya Volleyball Federation league match played at Malaba Primary in Busia On Sunday. [PHOTO: CHRISPEN SECHERE/STANDARD]

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) men team took advantage of the absence of General Service Unit (GSU) and Kenya Prisons to win the Honourable Arthur Odera tournament title at Malaba Primary School in Busia.

Kenya Prisons emerged victorious in the women’s category after a five set thriller, which was delayed by rains for over 24 hours over the weekend.

The military men defeated Prisons Mombasa 3-1 sets (25-18, 23-25, 25-14, 25-19) to start off the season victoriously.

KDF manager Ruto Chedotum said: “Winning the tournament is a big boost for our team that is targeting to clinch the national championships this year.”

“I want to believe that the victory would raise the confidence and morale of the players as we look forward to better performance.”

Prisons defeated Kenya Commercial Bank in straight sets of 25-20, 25-14 and 25-21 to lift the trophy.

Arch rivals

To advance to the final, Prisons overcame bitter rivals Kenya Pipeline 3-2 (25-19, 18-25, 25-20, 25-21, 15-12) in the semi-finals. The match gave  Busia fans rare opportunity to watch some of the best African players in action.

Prisons fielded the likes of Diana Khisa, Mercy Moim and Bracksides Agala while Pipeline paraded Esther Wangeci, Monicah Biama and Noel Murambi among other national team stars.

The tournament that was scheduled to end on Sunday was extended by one day after rains interrupted several matches.

It forced organisers to call off more than a half of league matches that were to be played last Friday.

Prisons and Pipeline were using the league and tournament as part of their preparations for the 2014 African Club Championships that will be played in Carthage, Tunisia next month.

GSU and Prisons men are out of the country to compete in the men’s version of the continental tournament that starts in Tunis tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Prisons men’s team coach Gideon Chenje has unveiled his squad for the African Club Championships.

Chenje has named Charles Bosire, Daniel Kiptoo, Dennis Mokua, Sila Kipruto, Jackson Mwambia and Bilasio Kokonya in his squad.

Others are Ezekiel Kibet, Simon Kimeli, Saul Wafula, Stephen Murimi, Hudson Wanyama and Peter Kibata.

Prisons team was expected to depart yesterday for the competition in Tunis.

Elsewhere, Mukumu Girls’ volleyball captain Betsy Sarah says the team is working hard to regain their lost glory.

“Mukumu has missed out on the national stage for many years and we want to return to the top of schools’ volleyball,” Sarah told FeverPitch at Malaba last Sunday.

“Participating in national tournaments is one of our strategic plans of ensuring that we qualify for the nationals and win the trophy.”

Mukumu have not won the nationals since 2005.  — [email protected]