Debutant Marlene Tata delighted after fulfilling childhood dream with Malkia Strikers
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 10.06.25. | 17:12
Tata, a product of the celebrated Kwanthanze Secondary School volleyball program, could not hide her joy after making the cut
Rising volleyball star Marlene Tata is relishing a dream come true after being named in the provisional Malkia Strikers squad for the upcoming FIVB World Championships set to take place from Friday, 22 August to Sunday, 7 September in Thailand.
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The 19-year-old opposite attacker, who was instrumental in KCB’s league triumph in 2023, a campaign that saw her crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP), is among the new faces brought in by newly-appointed head coach Geoffrey Omondi.
Tata, a product of the celebrated Kwanthanze Secondary School volleyball program, could not hide her joy after making the cut.
“It is such a proud moment for me to be called up to the national team following a successful season with my club. I will be making my debut in the World Championship.
I cannot wait to show the world what I can do. I thank coach Geoffrey for his trust in me,” she said.
Her inclusion comes amid a generational shift in the Malkia Strikers camp, with long-serving stalwarts Mercy Moim, Edith Wisa, Trizah Atuka, and Lincy Jeruto all omitted from the squad.
The move signals a bold new direction under Omondi, who himself is making his debut at the helm of the national team.
Omondi, who led Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) to the national title in his first season and a bronze medal at the Africa Club Championship in Abuja, Nigeria, will be assisted by David Muthui and Esther Jepkosgei.
Former head coach Paul Bitok returns as Head of Delegation, while John Oronje takes up the role of Team Manager, and Sarah Karongo joins as team physiotherapist.
Speaking on the team’s preparations and the shift in personnel, Bitok, who also serves as Kenya Volleyball Federation Deputy President, said the squad has the federation’s full backing.
“We are gearing up for a gruelling competition. Therefore, we need to prepare adequately before we face the world’s toughest teams.
It is going to be tough, but we believe in the crop of players that we have at our disposal. We back the coach and his technical team in their quest to bring glory back to Kenya,” he offered.
The 10-time African champions have been drawn into Pool G alongside volleyball powerhouses Poland and Germany, as well as Vietnam.
Before the tournament, the team will head to Vietnam for a week-long training camp.
This will be the Malkia Strikers’ first major tournament since the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they exited in the group stages.
They hope to build on their 2022 World Championship campaign in the Netherlands, where they claimed a straight-sets victory over African rivals Cameroon.
Meanwhile, Cameroon will compete in Pool H alongside Serbia, Japan, and Ukraine, while Egypt is drawn in Pool A with hosts Thailand, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
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