Bitok backs youngsters to shine after Brazil camp

Malkia Strikers coach Paul Bitok says the future of womens’ volleyball in the country is bright if the performance of the young players that made the squad currently in Brazil preparing for the World Championships is anything to go by.

The tactician says the players have shown tremendous growth in all aspects of their game and are quickly providing the bench power the team needs ahead of the global showpiece set to serve off on 23 September in Poland and Netherlands.

 “I am happy the young players might bring the difference in how we perform at this edition. Setter Emmaculate Nekesa, Outside hitter Veronica Adhiambo and middle blocker Belinda Barasa have shown a lot of character since we begun training in Brazil and in the ten friendly matches played.

Malkia's match to world championships on the right path

Adhiambo has come in handy as she can convert bad reception to points with her strong attacks. She is also getting better in reception. While I see areas that need some work, we still have a few weeks to the competition and few friendlies to determine the starting line-up,” Bitok explained.

Malkia Strikers are in group A that also had European champions Italy, hosts Netherlands, African champions Cameroon, Belgium and Puerto Rico.

Coach Bitok and his charges have the herculean task of chasing not just the second victory at that stage for the team but making it past the group stage which has been a target for the Kenyan side at this year's championship.

At the last edition of the volleyball global showpiece in 2018, the team won their first ever match at the World Championship with a 3-0 win over Group D minnows, Kazakhstan.