TOKYO 2020: Olympics-bound beach team hits camp ahead of Games

Kenya women's beach volleyball team composed of Gaudencia Makokha, Brackcides Agala, Yvonne Wavinya and Phoscah Kasisi hits camp on Sunday, 4 July where preparations begin in earnest ahead the Tokyo Olympics.

The Sammy Mulinge coached side made history last week, qualifying for the Olympic Games for the first time since the discipline was introduced as an Olympic sport back in 1992. 

Enroute to their feat, the four women saw off tough competition from Cape Verde in the groups stages and hosts Morocco in the semi final, the two matches having to be decided on a golden match. 

In the final, it was a straight win against West Africans Nigeria as the duo of Agala and Makokha dispensed one team 2-1 while the other two, their match coming after their teammates' win made easy work of the other Nigerian pair to win by straight sets. 

"The team will have about 12 days in camp before heading out to Tokyo. Unlike their indoor volleyball counterparts, they travel on July 17 and head straight to the village where they will have another seven days before their competition serves off," head of delegation to Tokyo who is also the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) chairperson Waithaka Kioni explained. 

Head coach, Mulinge, has another task of whipping his charges to shape within a short time but he has his plans laid down. 

"We prepare the field on Sunday morning then hit the sand in the afternoon. We do not have the luxury of taking it slow so we pick from where we left in Morocco. First off will be getting the players mentally ready for the competition that is coming. We will be up against some very tough opposition and we have to know how to handle the pressure especially on crucial moments when we are going head to head with an opponent or chasing a game," 

"We will also rely on video analysts to learn from our mistakes from the qualification while using the same to study our opposition. The draws are set to be conducted on Sunday, 4 July, so we get down to business with our opponents in mind. Our main weapon has been service so we will work on perfecting a strategy for the same. All the same, we cannot forget to cover our bases when it comes to the basics especially movement on sand," Mulinge offered. 

Meawhile, the other Kenyan team sports qualified for the extravaganza, Shujaas, Lionesses and Malkia Strikers are set to leave the country on July 8 for Kurume City in Japan where they will have a two-week training camp before moving to the athletes' village in Tokyo. Also joining them for the Kurume camp are a few Athletics Kenya team members. 

"We were able to agree with Kurume to host the said teams and the sprints team. The other track and field athletes will travel direct to the village," Kioni who will be in the July 8 contingent ahead of a delegates meeting in Tokyo offered.