Four dropped as Malkia Strikers travelling squad is named

The Kenya Volleyball Federation has released the final Malkia Strikers travelling squad for the high-level training camp in Brazil.

The team is set to hold a two-month training camp, fully paid for by the International Volleyball Federation, FIVB, in Brazil ahead of the friendly matches in Serbia whose national team is also sponsored by the betting firm. 

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From the team of 20 that has been in training at Kasarani, outside hitter Pamela Jepkirui, middle blocker Trizah Atuka, opposite Emmaculate Chemutai and setter Faith Imodia have been dropped. 

Jepkirui and Chemutai were part of the team that represented Kenya at the Tokyo Olympics while Atuka missed the outing as she was left out of the squad despite having recovered from an injury that saw her miss the African qualifiers. 

"The team has been training under Brazilian tacticians at Kasarani and from the sessions they had and previous scouting in Tunisia, 16 were named. Two of the players will be dropped before the team travels for the Championship from Serbia. 

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However, in the event that the budget we had presented to the government is approved before the team leaves for Brazil, all 20 players will travel," said KVF president Waithaka Kioni. 

In an earlier interview, coach Paul Bitok had opposed naming a final squad before the team trains together for the two months in Brazil arguing that the players have not been in action and it would have been unprofessional to do that.  

Calls have continued for the government to approve a Ksh 46 million budget that was set to cater for the team's travel to the training camp as well as allowances for the squad and technical bench in the three months they will be out of the country. 

PROVISIONAL SQUAD 

Outside hitters: Mercy Moim (KCB), Noel Murambi, Veronica Adhiambo (Kenya Pipeline), Meldinah Sande, Yvonne Wavinya (Kenya Prisons). 

Middle blockers: Gladys Ekaru (Kenya Pipeline), Edith Wisa, Belinda Barasa, Magdaline Mwende (KCB), Lorine Chebet (Kenya Prisons)  

Opposite attackers: Sharon Chepchumba (KCB), Violet Makuto (Kenya Pipeline)

Setters: Emmaculate Nekesa, Veronica Kilabat (KDF)

Liberos: Aggripina Kundu (Kenya Pipeline), Veronica Makokha (KDF)