Kenya’s hopes of hosting volleyball championship hang in the balance

Kenya’s hopes of hosting this year’s Confederation of African Volleyball women under-20 championship  hangs in the balance owing to lack of standard venues.

Speaking to the Citizen Digital, Kenya Volleyball Federation Secretary General Ben Juma said that the new requirements by the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) that increased the number of teams participating in a continental and global events from 12 to 24 teams will automatically dim any chance of Kenya hosting the event which is set to serve from August 17- 26

According to the new guidelines, Juma said that if more than 12 teams confirm participation, Kenya will be stripped off of the rights to host the championship because Kenya has just one indoor facility, the Kasarani Indoor Arena which can only be used by 12 teams.

“According to FIVB guidelines, a tournament of more than 12 teams can only be held in two venues yet we have only one venue that meets the international standards ,” Juma who retained his position in last month’s  KVF polls lamented in an interview with Citizen Digital.

Kenya is a renowned continental volleyball powerhouse and has in the past hosted several club championships in Nairobi at only one venue, and the latest development is a blow to the East Africa nation coming in the wake of FIVB’ move to stop purchasing air tickets for teams during international competitions.

Juma has at the same time challenged counties to build their own indoor facilities instead of pegging all hopes on the the national government.

“I urge counties to act on their own volition and build small gyms because volleyball is an indoor facility and they should not wait for national government. Recently, when I visited Congo Brazzaville I realised they have seven gyms and I don’t think achieving such a milestone can be a difficult task.”

Meanwhile, the KVF has shifted its focus to the under -17 women and under- 18 men East Africa Championship slated for Uganda from June 20.

The teams have intensified their training in Shauri Moyo, Nairobi ahead of the tourney under the stewardship of coach Justin Kigwari, who also handles the East Africa School Games volleyball champions Kwanthanze