Bitok calls for Malkia Strikers return to training ahead of busy season

Malkia Strikers tactician Paul Bitok has called on Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) to move with speed and get the national team back in training ahead of a busy 2023 season. 

Bitok says there's need to have a clear path and preparation plan for the team that has five major competitions this year so that both the national and international calendars are not affected like they were last year. 

"Malkia Strikers are set to take part in the African Games, Africa Nations Championship, World Cup, FIVB Challenger Cup and Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers. 

Changes for KVF women's playoffs

It is important that the players continued with high-level training after their stag in Brazil and the World Championships and we had a proposal for the federation that is yet to be decided on," Bitok revealed. 

Bitok noted that local club competitions will help the national team players stay in shape and thus should not be put on hold as was the case last year. 

"The proposal was to have 20 players in training every weekend when there is no league action. The programme also had a proposition for camps, some ten days long within specific timelines. 

This will help the technical bench have more time with the players and monitor player progress over a long period while cutting the need to go away for months and affect club activities. 

We want to avoid a situation where the league is stopped and clubs miss key players in continental club championship due to national team duty. All these competitions are important and we want the player in competition mode," Bitok further explained. 

Malkia Strikers, 3x3 Basketball ladies’ teams receive 9 million Olympic grant from NOC-K

In November 2022, National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) boosted the national team's preparations for Paris Olympic after extending a Ksh 9 million joint grants alongside the women's 3x3 basketball team. 

Bitok says he had expected the plans to be put in motion and have Malkia Strikers begin preparation immediately after the Olympic Solidarity grant in December but the wait continues.