Malkia depart optimistic of bagging final Rio slot
The national women’s volleyball team Malkia Strikers headed off to Puerto Rico on Tuesday night for the FIVB World Qualifiers in a last-ditch bid to make the Rio 2016 Olympics after failing in the initial stage early this year in Cameroon.
The Government and Kenya Volleyball Federation resolved all outstanding allowances for the team that left in high spirits.
Head coach David Lung’aho stood by his stated target of winning the remaining Olympics qualification slot underpinning his team is well prepared.
“I tell my players they’re winners. They are achievers and they have to keep that going,” he told Citizen Digital as the squad went through their departure motions at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
In Puerto Rico, Malkia will play three matches against the hosts Colombia and continental rivals Algeria whom they edged out for bronze at the Africa Olympics Qualifiers in Yaounde where the winner will punch their ticket to Brazil.
The team is seeking a first appearance at the quadrennial sporting carnival since Athens 2004 and after Puerto Rico, Malkia will depart on May 23 to Argentina for a training camp ahead of the Group Two FIVB World Grand Prix that serves-off on June 3 in Tucuman in the same country.
Malkia were promoted to Group 2 after making history in winning last year’s Group 3 competition.
Matches Schedule
21st May
Kenya vs Colombia
22nd May
Kenya vs Algeria
23rd May
Kenya vs Puerto Rico
June 4th in Tucuman Argentina
Kenya vs Argentina
Dominican Republic vs Bulgaria
June 5th
Kenya vs Bulgaria
Dominican Republic vs Argentina
June 5th
Dominican Republic vs Kenya
Argentina vs Bulgaria
June 10th in Poland
Kenya vs Puerto Rico
Poland vs Argentina
June 11th
Kenya vs Poland
Argentina vs Puerto Rico
June 12th
Kenya vs Argentina
Poland vs Puerto Rico
OFFICIALS
David Lung’aho – Head Coach
Japheth Munala – Assistant Coach
Martin Kimondo – Team Manager
Charles Maina – Team Doctor
Players
Mercy Moim- Left Attacker (Captain)
Jane Wacu- Setter
Janet Wanja- Setter
Evelyne makuto- Left Attacker
Violet Makuto- Right Attacker
Monica Chepkemboi- Left Attacker
Blackcides Kathambi Agala- Middle Blocker
Noel Murambi- Left Attacker (Vice-Captain)
Esther Wangeci- Right Attacker
Agripina Kundu- Liberu
Trizer Atuka-Middle Blocker
Edith Mukuvilani- Middle Blocker
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