Malkia out for Colombia revenge in World Qualifier opener

Malkia Strikers will open their quest for an Olympics at the FIVB World Qualification berth with a tricky clash against Colombia on Friday at 5:00pm Puerto Rican time that will be midnight in Kenya.

While Colombia seeks to earn their first qualification to the Olympic Games, the national women’s volleyball team will be out for revenge against the side that beat them in straight sets during a Group 3 World Grand Prix clash in Mexico last season.

National coach David Lung’aho thanked world body FIVB for giving Kenya another opportunity after failing to ear the direct qualifying slot through the African tournament in Cameroon.

“We are happy to be here especially considering that this is a second chance after we failed to earn the direct ticket. Our players have been busy with club championships and they are in good competition mood. Our aim is to earn the remaining slot to Rio and we hope to have a good competition.”

Lung’aho added that the new qualification process gives more teams a second chance of qualifying for the Summer Games after Cameroon grabbed the sole slot during the African Qualifiers they hosted in Yaoundé.

“We are elated to be here with all the intentions of earning the berth to Rio and we will do all necessary efforts to finish first,” Eduardo Guillaume, the Argentinean coach of Colombia added at the briefing.

“It was a good preparation, under the circumstances, but I can see our team is at a good level,” he added.

Malkia trained at the competition venue on Thursday as the players shook off the jetlag after a gruelling 26 hours of travel.

“We basically worked on our reception and attack. The players’ response was very good as we couldn’t notice the jetlag in training and the mood was good.” Lung’aho said after the training.