We are upbeat ahead of serve-off, says Malkia boss Munala

The national women’s volleyball team head coach Japheth Munala says his charges are upbeat as they put final touches in their preparations for the FIVB World Championship which serves off this Saturday in Japan.

The nine-time African champions stepped up their preparations for the global fiesta on Monday after relocating from Hitachi City to Korube city for a three-day training camp to help them acclimatize, with Japanese coach Sadatoshi Sugawara leading the warm-ups alongside Munala.

On Wednesday, Malkia who return to the championship after eight year drought are penciled to face Kurobe Aqua Faires, a top division club in Japan V League in their first friendly match in the series of build-ups they’ll play with the Japanese outfits and Munala says the players are adapting well to the climate in the Far East nation.

“We are doing very well and so far so good. The mood is positive and I know we will hit top form by Friday before the championship gets underway,” said Munala who doubles up as the Kenya Volleyball Federation league side, Kenya Pipeline.

Team Manager David Kilundo added that the facilities they have been given through seasoned ex-Japan international Sugawara who also coached Kenya at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and at the 2006 World Championship will be of massive help as they bid to shine in the championship.

“He (Sugawara) has been of good help to us and with his assistance I know we will be ready to conquer the world,” Kilundo who is also the KVF second vice- president told Citizen Digital.

The Africa’s representatives alongside Cameroon will launch their quest for the elusive title against Kazakhstan on September 29 at 7:20pm (Kenyan time) before confronting Serbia on Sunday same time, and subsequently face Puerto Rico, champions Brazil and Dominican Republic in other pool D matches.

The three-week competition which has attracted 24 nations will be played across six cities and Kenya is penciled to play all her preliminary matches in Hamamatsu city.

The championship will serve out in October 20 with defending champions USA, World beaters Brazil, Serbia and hosts among the favourites in this year’s 18th edition.

Malkia Strikers fixtures (Kenyan time)

29/9/2018

1920 hrs- Kenya Vs Kazakhstan

30/9/2018

1920 hrs -Kenya Vs Serbia

01/10/2018

1610hrs- Kenya Vs Puerto Rico

03/10/2018

1920hrs -Kenya Vs Brazil

04/10/2018

1610hrs- Kenya Vs Dominican