KPA ready for tough outing at clubs tourney

Kenya Ports Authority men’s volleyball captain Sammy Ngeny is delighted that the team is ready for the tough task ahead of the African Club Championships in Tunisia.

However, Ngeny said the teams’ focus at the moment is the national league that resumes next weekend after a break.

“We are set to start our training tomorrow (today) to prepare for the national league matches set for the Easter weekend before we move to residential camp to prepare for the African Men’s Volleyball Championships set for May 5-18 in Tunis,” Ngeny said.

“We know we have national league matches and the continental championships and we must be fully prepared for the tough tasks ahead of us,” he said.

Ngeny said they made it to the quarter-finals in last year’s maiden appearance in Tunisia and their target is to improve on the performance and make it to the medal bracket.

In last year’s championships, KPA finished fifth after winning four matches and losing twice.

Tunisia’s Esperance are the reigning champions after stunning former champions Zamalek of Egypt 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-10) in the final.

Head coach Sammy Mulinge said the team will start its program with endurance training at the beach before moving to the Makande Indoor Gymnasium for the rest of the training.

“We intend to ensure the players are physically fit and that is why we are going for the beach training,” Mulinge said.

The coach said all the players were in top form but said they will miss the services of the towering Enock Mogeni who has since joined Egyptian top tier side Club Smouha Sports Club.

Mogeni was signed by the Egyptian side following his outstanding performances at the continental championship.

“Mogeni played a major role last year in Tunisia in ensuring we qualified for the quarter-finals but we have equally good players who have stepped into his shoes,” said Mulinge.

Team Manager Joel Kosgei said the league matches have played a major role in the team’s preparation for the Tunisia event.

“We are on top form as we look forward for the league matches. We have not lost any match since the start of the league and this has boosted our morale,” Kosgei said.

KPA are set to play Prisons Central on April 15 before facing Trail Blazers the following day.

The Dockers conclude their Nairobi tour on Easter Sunday with a match against Nairobi Prisons before returning to Mombasa to start their residential camp.

Meanwhile, Kajiado County will construct two beach volleyball courts at the Merishaw International School.

The beach courts are geared towards helping in the growth of the game in Kajiado County and beyond.

Most teams play beach volleyball only at the Coast.