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L. MathekaMulinge upbeat as beach volleyball preps intensify
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 08.06.21. | 13:33
The winner of the CAVB Continental Cup will represent Africa at the Tokyo Games in July.
After four days of residential training in Mombasa, coach Sammy Mulinge is impressed by the progress of both the women’s and men’s beach volleyball teams as they prepare for the repeat second and final round Olympics qualifiers set for June 21 to 27.
A team of 14 players, seven for each team, began training on Friday, 4 June, under Mulinge for the women’s team and Patrick Owino for the men’s side and hit the ground running first testing the players’ fitness before getting down to the tactical aspects of the game.
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“Some of the players had not played beach volleyball for over a year so we had to work on their movement on the sand and I am impressed with the progress. From June 8, we take it a notch higher and begin working on our service strategy, passing and movement on the pitch. More importantly, we are constantly working on their mental strength as this is a sport that required them to be at their best mentally before taking to the court,” said Mulinge.
The Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) has successfully appealed for the repeat of the second round of the African Beach Volleyball Olympics qualifiers after the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Sunday announced annulment of the last year’s results. pic.twitter.com/O4IHP9LP6k
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) January 26, 2021
The ladies’ team has Gaudencia Makokha, Naomi Too who is returning from maternity leave and a knee injury, league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Praxedes Agala, Yvonne Wavinya, Phoscah Kasisi, Maureen Wekesa and Veronica Adhiambo. The men’s team has experienced Ibrahim Oduor, James Mwaniki, Brian Melly, Enock Mogeni, Wilfred Kimutai, Cornelius Lagat and Donald Mchete.
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“Too is responding well in training. She had done some work to get herself back in shape after the long break and we will observe her in training this week. If she proves to be in good shape, then she will be an added advantage as she is a very experienced player,” said Mulinge.
The tactician decried the bad weather being experienced in Mombasa but was quick to point out that it might work in the teams’ favour in the long run. “We have rains down here and the weather is not the best for training. We are, however, bracing ourselves through it as it might be advantageous for us during the competition. If we find similar weather during the competition, we will be good to go and if the weather is good then it will be easier for our players,” he added.
