KVF set to introduce Division Two league

After years of running their leagues with no relegation threat for teams, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) is keen on re-introducing a lower tier for the men's league in the coming season. 

The federation, through Organizing Secretary Ismail Chege has invited coaches and team managers from all clubs in both the men and women's league for a meeting on 22 October to deliberate on this among other issues. 

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"KVF is intending to start Division 2 for men in the 2022/2023 season, any team that is willing to participate in our national league is invited.

The meeting will deliberate on the registration of all men's team, draws and the ladies pending preliminary league matches plus their playoff. All KVF registration Forms will be issued during the meeting," the invite for the meeting reads. 

The federation finds itself in a tricky situation where the men's league concluded on August 1 and teams are ready to embark on the 2022/23 league in October while the women's regular league is far from over with playoffs also pending. 

The initial plan was to have the 2021/22 leagues concluded in time to enable teams have a proper off-season and pre-season then action for the new season begins in October so that the Kenyan calendar can confirm to the FIVB schedule. 

Meanwhile, Chege has revealed that the interest to join the league has grown hence the decision to re-introduce the Division Two league that will allow for relegation and promotion of teams. 

"We had the lower tier league before with 14 teams taking part. They reduced to eight and further down to four so we had to do away with it. 

If we can get at least eight teams we will have the league back. At the end of the season four teams gain promotion and a similar number is relegated. 

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Ideally, we will have the second tier played outdoors in various venues like the national league was being played previously then stick to indoors for the top tier. However, these are issues that will be discussed and agreed on by the club's themselves," Chege explained. 

The top tier men's league will continue having 16 teams, unless otherwise decided by stakeholders, while the women's league will not have a lower tier league yet as Chege says the numbers are wanting.