Malkia Strikers coach Shailen Ramdoo pleased with team's progress

Malkia Strikers against Brazil. [Courtesy]

National women’s volleyball team head coach Shailen Ramdoo is pleased with Malkia Strikers’ progress and their acclimatization to the weather conditions in Cairo, Egypt ahead of the African Nations Cup.

The continental showpiece was initially scheduled to serve off yesterday but has been pushed to tomorrow after some teams pulled out.

Kenya, who were due to know their Group opponents yesterday after the technical meeting, have had three training sessions since their arrival in Cairo on Friday before shifting to Giza.

Egypt is currently witnessing extremely hot weather which have seen cities like Cairo hit a high of 38 and a low of 21 Celsius.

But the Italian instructor, who was recommended to Kenya by FIVB, is pleased with how quick the players have adapted to the environment as well as train under extremely hot conditions.

“We have been in Egypt for a few days now. The players are preparing well and we have until Monday (today) before we play our first match. We have many days than usual.

“ But we are getting used to the heat which is fine, other than that individually, the players are re trying to pick up and tune so that they can become better. Most of the teamwork was done last week in Nairobi.

“We are working on our speed and hope to get into our rhythm before the tournament starts. The first game is always crucial in any competition, so we must be ready for everything.”

Kenya Volleyball Federation Technical Director is equally impressed with the team’s progress as the players are eager to overcome the extremely hot conditions and reclaim the title they lost to Cameroon two years ago.

“It is extremely hot here to the extent that when we are not training we are stuck in our air-conditioned room. The temperatures go as high as 38 degrees in the afternoon and slightly cooler at night maybe 28 degrees,” Lung’aho told Standard Sports on phone.

“Although the weather is punitive, the mood in the camp is good. The players are eager to reclaim the title.

“ I am pleased with the girls are adapting to the conditions. I think coming earlier has been beneficial and the three-day training sessions will help us a lot.”

The celebrated tactician went on to reveal the reasons why they shifted their training sessions from the Egyptian capital city to October 6th Hall.

“We have moved our training sessions out of Cairo because of football dominance in halls around the capital city,” said Lung’aho.

Apart from hosts Egypt, champions Cameroon and Kenya, other teams that have already arrived in North Africa include Senegal, Algeria and Botswana.

“Congo, Tunisia and Morocco had indicated they will appear but they haven’t reported but we still have today and tomorrow, they might appear or any other team might come,” added Lung’aho.