Commonwealth Games: Makokha confident of a good show in beach volleyball

The duo of Gaudencia Makokha and Brackcides Agala are looking to go beyond the group stage when they take on defending champions Canada, New Zealand and Ghana in pool A of the women's beach volleyball at the Club Games. 

The team had a warm up match against Team England at the at the Smithfield Market in Birmingham on July 28 ahead of the commonwealth games opening ceremony.

Agala, Makokha picked for Beach Volleyball Commonwealth Games task

From the friendly match, Makokha says this was a good chance to gauge where they are and finalise their preparations ahead of action proper. 

"We are happy with the performance in the friendly match. It gave us a chance to be in a game-like situation and that exposed areas that need some attention before we begin the competition. 

We are not badly off and in the remaining days of training we will be working on perfecting our services and blocks and do a bit of work on our reception as well," offered Makokha after the friendly match. 

The Olympians were picked over Naomi Too and Phosca Kasisi after a month-long training camp in Mombasa. 

Coach Salome Wanjala, while making the announcement, said the two were impressive in training, experience, and exposure notwithstanding considering they were at the World Championships last month on top of their Olympics appearance last year.

The two, however, sat out of the African Commonwealth Games beach volleyball qualifiers in Accra, Ghana in March where Too partnered with Veronica Adhiambo for a thirdplace finish. 

"We have some adjustments to do ahead of competition. The sand we are playing on is nothing like what we trained on in Mombasa so we will be on the pitch a few more times to get used to it. Unlike the soft beach sand we in Mombasa, this feels more like river sand which is rough but we have to work with what we get," added Makokha. 

She continued, "This is not a first time competing on this level, if is the competition that is different but the teams are the same. However, we are yet to face the teams that we are pooled against so we will give if out all. We will also watch the other teams in action before or after our matches so we can get an idea of how to handle them. 

We know it will be a tough tournament as each team is out to win. Contrary to people's thoughts we are not here to fill the numbers or just to have a trip out of the country. We are here to represent Kenya and do it to the best of our ability and make ourselves and the country proud."