The Malkia Strikers, Kenya’s esteemed women’s volleyball team, have touched down in Manila, Philippines, after a lengthy 15-hour flight.
Their arrival marks the beginning of an intense week of competition at the FIVB Challenger Trophy tournament, a crucial step in their journey to the upcoming Olympic Games.
Departing from Kenya on Monday morning and journeying via Bangkok, the team arrived in Manila by late evening. They wasted no time, diving into their first training session in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Strikers are slated to face Puerto Rico on Thursday in what promises to be a fierce eight-team elimination round. The team has been diligently preparing at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani for the last three weeks, and head coach Japheth Munala is confident in their readiness.
Munala shared with Capital Sport, “The past three weeks of training have been productive, and the team is in top form. The Philippines tournament will be challenging, but we’re optimistic about our performance. We’ve encountered Puerto Rico before and suffered a 3-1 loss. However, I’m convinced that with some adjustments, we can emerge victorious.”
Originally, the plan was to arrive earlier and engage in friendly matches as a warm-up before facing Puerto Rico. Circumstances have led to a change in schedule, leaving the team with limited practice time before the crucial match.
Nonetheless, Munala remains hopeful that the team will arrange some friendly games post-Challenger Cup, which will serve as additional preparation for the Olympic Games.
A win against Puerto Rico would propel the Malkia Strikers into the semi-finals, where they would compete against either the European Golden League champions, Sweden, or Belgium. Munala’s goal is clear: to deliver an outstanding performance on the court.
Team captain Triza Atuka echoes Munala’s sentiments, emphasizing the Challenger Cup’s significance as a benchmark for the team’s current standing and areas for improvement. “The Challenger Cup is an excellent opportunity for us to gauge our strengths and weaknesses. Engaging in challenging matches will elevate our gameplay. We’re united and ready, having trained rigorously and thoroughly,” Atuka stated.
Following the Challenger Cup, the team anticipates engaging in one or two friendly matches in the Philippines before their return to Kenya on Sunday night.
Upon their arrival in Nairobi on Monday, they will have a single day to rest before heading to Miramas, France, for a pre-Olympic training camp. This tight schedule underscores the team’s commitment and drive as they prepare for the Olympic spotlight.
