Celebrations galore as Kenya makes volleyball semis

Kenya overcame a tense encounter against Tanzania to qualify for men’s volleyball semis in the ongoing East Africa Inter-parliamentary Games in Mombasa yesterday.

Kenya won 2-0 (25-16 and 24-23) at the fully packed Makande Gymnasium.

Once again, Teso North Member of Parliament Arthur Odera, who is the team’s captain, led from the front.

Odera scored Kenya’s first point and was instrumental as the hosts took a 7-3 lead. On their part, the Tanzanians looked somewhat disjointed and constantly took their frustrations on the referees.

Point by point, the Tanzanians clawed back into the game and narrowed the gap to 10-9. Kenya’s head coach Gideon Chenje was now a worried man as he called for a time-out to reorganise his squad.

The game was now a see-saw affair, with only one point the difference.

Ol Joro Orok MP John Waiganjo, who coordinated well at the centre with Odera, Benson Mutura (Makadara) and Uasin Gishu Senator Isaac Melly, stood out as Kenya bagged the set 25-16.

The Tanzanians resumed a stronger side in the second set as they opened a 4-0 lead. But Odera’s quick reaction helped the hosts ensure a 4-4 parity.

This set was equally tight, leaving little room for errors. The teams tied six times (12-12, 16-16, 17-17, 18-18, 22-22 and 23-23) as pressure for victory gathered pace.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Kiragu Chege and Yusuf Chanzu braved the harsh sunny and humid conditions in Mombasa for victories in the golf tournament at the par 71 Nyali golf and Country Club course in Mombasa.

The duo rounded up the day-long 18-hole stableford event with a combined best total score of 55 points. Handicap 6 Chege posted 28 points, while handicap 18 Chanzu had 27 points.

Other Kenyan players included Steven Kariuki, Jude Jomo and Kanini Kega, who blundered at the par three-18th hole.

The stableford event that counts to the best two combined scores of the day, saw Kenya retain the title with ease.

Uganda’s Ivan Koreta, with 29 points and teammate Evalyne Asiimwe (with 23 points), finished second with a combined score of 52 points.