Ababu Namwamba pledges support to para volleyball

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has assured the national Para Volley team of the ministry’s support as it prepares to represent Kenya in the continental and global championships this year.

Kenya’s para Volley team anticipates a challenge at the African Paralympic Games in Ghana in September that will also serve as a preparation for the Para Volley World Cup set for Cairo, Egypt in November.

However, financial constraints have remained a chronic issue with the team. For instance, most counties failed to turn up for the Para Volley trials held in Eldoret from May 18-20 at the Gulab Lochab Hall due to a lack of funds. It was then that the team to represent Kenya at the African Paralympic Games set for September in Ghana was selected.

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A Kenyan team of 48 Para Volleyball players comprising 24 men and a similar number of women was selected after the tough contest. The 48 Para Volley players will be reduced to 24 (12 men and 12 women) before they set out to Ghana.According to Namwamba, his ministry will adequately facilitate the team as the battle for a slot at the 2024 Paralympics heats up.

“I followed the national trials keenly. I look forward to our teams qualifying for the 2024 Paralympics. The Ministry of Sports has confidence in the team and will fully support it in preparations for the African and world competitions. We are going to support the team because Kenya is a great Para Volley nation,” Namwamba told the teams via a phone call.

The African Paralympic Games will take place between September 3-12 in Accra Ghana while the World Cup which will be used as the 2024 Paralympic qualifier will be staged in Cairo, Egypt in November.

Para-Volley teams from 14 counties battled for the national trophy in the trials that saw hosts Uasin Gishu County gong the men’s trophy after holding off Nairobi 3-2 five-set thriller (12-25, 25-20, 12-25, 26-24 and 15-10). Uasin Gishu women lost the national title to Nairobi.