Junior Malkia hit camp ahead of U20 continental showpiece in August
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 22.07.25. | 07:20
The country's best placing in the four editions the country has taken part in has been bronze
Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) officially appointed the technical and management team for the national women's U20 squad, ahead of the 2025 African Nations Volleyball Championships for the age group.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
A squad of 23, selected from various clubs and institutions across the country, hits camp on Tuesday, 22 July, at Nyayo Stadium as they begin residential training ahead of the continental showdown, scheduled for 2 to 12 August, in Yaounde, Cameroon.
The team is under coach Jackline Barasa, the Kenya Defence Forces' head coach, assisted by former KCB and KDF middle blocker Luka Kariuki.
Having struggled to finish last in the four-team tournament held last year in Tunis, Tunisia, this year's squad will have their work cut out when they head to the event.
Same as previous editions, last year's tournament acted as the CAVB qualifiers for the FIVB Volleyball Women's U21 World Championship with the top three teams qualifying for the global competition in Indonesia as the CAVB representatives.
Tunisia won their ninth title by beating Egypt 3–2 in the final while Algeria completed the podium after defeating Kenya 3–1 in the third-place match. This was the only set Kenya won, after losing the group and semis matches in straight sets.
Before the 2024 edition, Kenya had hosted the last edition in 2018, going on to finish fifth as Egypt bagged their eighth title. It was, however, not an exercise in futility as some of Kenya's current stars picked crucial experience that has played a role in their career progression.
Some of the talents that showcased in the Nairobi event for Junior Malkia included Emmaculate Nekesa who has gone on to play at the Olympics and being named Africa's best setter in the 2023 African championships that qualified Malkia Strikers for the Paris Olympics.
Also in that squad was middle blocker Belinda Barasa, the youngster transitioning to the senior team almost effortlessly as he was part of Malkia Strikers' squad since 2022.
Another revelation on the national scene, despite having caused ripples during her Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) games already, was Pamela Owino.
Just like the others, she has not only dominated the local league but, being named league MVP in 2023.
Making her debut at the Olympics in Paris, her performance did not go unnoticed as she landed her first professional stint after the Summer Games, signing a year-long deal in Finland. She is now signed with Croatia's HAOK Mladost Zagreb.
This year's competition offers the team the chance to do more than just producing good players and putting Kenya's junior volleyball on the map, a ticket to the U21 continental stage is up for grabs as well.
