Chumba going for global glory after conquering Africa

Not even an injury on the eve of the CAVB African Nations Championship that concluded on Thursday 24 August could stop Sharon 'Chumba' Chepchumba from rising to the top of Africa. 

Playing against Rwanda in their final build-up match ahead of the competition, Chumba picked an injury, one that, before being accessed had everyone, including the player, worried. 

As Malkia Strikers were crowned champions for the tenth time in a beautiful ceremony held at the Palais Polyvalent des Sports arena in Yaounde, Chumba stood tall, bagging the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. 

Champions of Africa again! Malkia Strikers reclaim Championship title after 8 years

Before the final against Egypt, the former KCB player had been a nightmare for the home team in the semi final as the African queens came from a set down to silence the defending champions, who had won three titles in a row, 3-1. 

She admitted, before the final, that her recovery wasn't complete, but her dream was big and the push to achieve it unstoppable. 

"This was the only trophy missing in my cabinet in the continental competitions, but I am more excited about qualifying for my second Olympic Games. As we head to the World stage again, we are out to show the world that we are the best," Chumba said after lifting her first championship title.

Chumba made it to the team of the tournament alongside youngster Emmaculate Nekesa who won the best setter award and skipper Mercy Moim who was crowned best outside hitter. 

"This award would not have come without the support of my teammates. I missed the first two matches with injury and wasn't playing at my best for another two but they covered well for my absence. If they hadn't won those games we probably wouldn't have made it to the final. 

Our focus was getting to Paris and reclaiming this title after 8 years, and it is mission accomplished. We now set our sights on getting better ahead of the next big assignment in Paris," the 24-year-old who believes she has nothing left to prove in Africa added. 

Being one of two players in the current Malkia Strikers squad plying their trade outside the continent, the PAOK player says that her club career is not only about volleyball, it means more.

"There are those who turned professional before us and opened the door for the same for the current crop of players . I have that opportunity now to pave the way for others so whenever I play, I leave every on the floor as I want people to realise that Africans and more so Kenyans can make good volleyballers. I am paving the way for others, representing my country and continent out there," she opened up adding that seeing more players turning pro is encouraging as they will improve the national team's performance. 

Chumba says turning pro and also being part of the FIVB empowerment program has changed her perspective as a player.

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"At first when the Brazilian coaches were introduced to us, it was a difficult transition, first with the language barrier and then they came with a different style of play. 

They had studied the team and knew that defense was our biggest challenge and in the last 2 years the team has had tremendous improvement and that can be seen in how we played here," she explained adding that the challenge of playing outside the country keeps her wanting to get better and going against some of the best players in the world and winning adds to her confidence that she can also compete on the world stage.