Bitok hands DCI libero Makokha first Malkia Strikers call up

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) libero Josephine Makokha has been drafted into the first batch of Malkia Strikers players set to hit a residential camp on Wednesday as the preparations for the Olympics begin in earnest. Malkia qualified for the Olympics in January last year after claiming the African Olympic qualifiers held in Cameroon after 16 years in the cold.

Malkia who will be the only African team in the finals slated for July in Tokyo, Japan will be making their third appearance in the games.

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) introduced a specialized bubble camps for all qualified athletes from all disciplines where they will begin training for two weeks before breaking camp to their respective clubs for league assignments.

Malkia head coach Paul Bitok who named a strong squad handed Makokha her first call up and she will face off with the experienced Kenya Pipeline libero Agripina Kundu and Elizabeth Wanyama of Prisons for a place in the final team.

With seasoned Prions setter Jane Wacu in Seychelles for her professional career and, Bitok named her counterpart Joy Lusemaka, KCB's Emmaculate Nekesa and Pipeline's Esther Mutinda.

Bitok who retained most of his arsenals who fought tooth and nail for the ticket included fast-rising Pipeline middle blocker Gladys Ekaru where the youngster will battle with KCB's duo of Violet Makuto and Edith Wisa. Other middle blockers incorporated in the team include Carolyne Sirengo of DCI, and Joan Jelagat and Lorine Chebet who are drawn from Prisons.

Skipper Mercy Moim highlights the left attackers category which has KCB's Leonida Kasaya and Noel Murambi. Hard-hitting Pipeline attacker Pamela Odhiambo and Jemmima Siangu are also in the squad

Setters 

Joy Lusemaka 

Esther Mutinda

Emmaculate Nekesa

Middle blockers 

Edith Wisa

Violet Makuto 

Joan Jelagat

Gladys Ekaru

Carolyne Sirengo

Lorine Chebet 

Left attackers

Mercy Moim 

Noel Murambi 

Leonida Kasaya 

Jemmima Siangu

Pamela Jepkurui 

Pamela Odhiambo 

Right attackers

Sharon Jepchumba 

Emmaculate Chemutai 

Liberos 

Elizabeth Wanyama 

Agripina Kundu

Josephine Makokha