L. MathekaJemimah Siang'u readying for the big stage as team chases Olympics qualification
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 23.08.23. | 14:30
She is making the team for the second time, her debut having come as Malkia Strikers were chasing the Tokyo Olympics ticket in 2020.
Malkia Strikers outside hitter Jemimah 'Magereza' Siang'u is making the best of her second stint with Malkia Strikers as they chase back-to-back Olympics qualification.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) player made her debut for the national team in 2020 as Malkia Strikers competed in Yaounde, Cameroon in the Olympics qualifiers.
Incidentally, after staying out of the team for the Tokyo Olympics assignment as well as the World Championships in Poland last year, coach Luizomar de Moura handed the 25-year old her second call up for this year's CAVB African Nations Championship.
The competition, ongoing in Yaounde, the same City the Kenyan side beat the hosts in 2020 to qualify for the Covid-19-delayed Tokyo Games, is also being used as qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Games. Teams are earning points for each match played, with the best ranked side getting the sole continental ticket to the Summer Games.
"I am back in the team since 2020 when we played here in the Olympics qualifiers and it feels surreal to be part of this process again.
I may not have alot of minutes on the court but I am making the best of this opportunity to get better in my game.
My position is very competitive and I have accepted that those who are playing are better than I am. I am, however, learning, getting better, so I will be at my best whenever called upon," the soft spoken attacker said in an interview with Mozzart Sport.
As the team plays Cameroon in the semis at the Palais Polyvalent des Sports arena, Siang'u is hopeful that her inclusion in the match, whenever she is needed will bare the same results as in 2020, a win.
"I see it as fate that I was in the qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics and I am in the team again as we chase the same slot to the Paris Olympics. Labda mimi ndio kismat (loosely translated to mean the lucky chip ).
Back in 2020 I had just joined Kenya Pipeline and was very green. Right now I am more confident with my game and I continue to improve with each training and with every opportunity that I am given to play," Siang'u added.
The 25-year-old believes that her time in the main team will come and she wait, her focus is on getting better.
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