Too recalled as squad for qualifiers is named

Kenya National volley ball team player, Naomi Too before serving the ball during their training at Flamingo Beach in North Coast. The team prepares for National Olympic qualifies to be held in Morocco from 21st this month to July 28th. 6th June 2021.[Omondi Onyango,Standard]

African Games silver medalist Naomi Too has made a comeback to the national women beach volleyball team.

This is after she was drafted in the final squad to travel to Accra, Ghana for the African qualifiers for the Commonwealth Games scheduled for March 24-29.

Too who has been named the captain of the women team was among the six players who were named by the coaches in Mombasa yesterday.

Too who alongside her partner Gaudencia Makokha won silver medal at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco has been out of action for long after she picked an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury during the 2019 Kenya national play-offs. Youthful Veronica Adhiambo of Kenya Pipeline got her first call to the national team after impressing the coaches during the 10-day training camp in Mombasa.

However, coach Salome Wanjala has also retained experienced Kenya Pipeline’s Gaudencia Makokha and Brackcides Agala of Prisons Kenya.

Regulars Yvonne Wavinya and former captain Phosca Kasisi who represented Kenya in last year’s African qualifiers for the Olympic Games were dropped.

Men captain Ibrahim Oduor of Prisons Kenya and his playing partner James Mwaniki of Kenya Ports Authority and formerly with Nairobi Water were retained in the final team with General Service Unit’s Nicholas Lagat and Donald Mchete of Prisons Mombasa making to the team. Coach Patrick Owino dropped Jairus Jepkosgei and Wilfred Kimutai.

Beach Commission of Kenya Chairman Moses Mbuthia said the inclusion of fresh blood in the teams was a clear indication of continuity in beach volleyball.

“We have confidence in the players named. They have done Kenya proud previously and we are optimistic they will qualify for the Commonwealth Games,” said Mbuthia.

“We have confidence with the players named and we are looking forward to good results in Accra,” said the men’s Team Manager Sammy Mulinge.