Nurture volleyball talent
What you need to know:
- Currently, Kenya has stayed on course to qualify for this year’s All Africa Games after winning all its matches in the qualifiers going on in Uganda.
The national women’s volleyball team has had a good performance in Africa. Kenya regularly represents Africa in global championships, but the team is increasingly facing tough competition from Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia.
Tunisia and Algeria, in particular, have beaten Kenya and gone on to represent Africa at the 2014 World Championships and 2012 Olympic Games, respectively.
Currently, Kenya has stayed on course to qualify for this year’s All Africa Games after winning all its matches in the qualifiers going on in Uganda.
It will be the eighth consecutive time Kenya will compete at the All Africa Games, but the team should look beyond just conquering Africa.
The team struggles to win matches in global championships and Grand Prix competitions that bring together the best teams in the world.
That setter Jane Wacu and former team captain Bracksides Khadambi are plying their trade in the French League, one of the world’s most competitive, points to the great pool of talent at Kenya’s disposal.
Coaches must nurture young talent to ensure smooth transition. The move by the Kenya Volleyball Federation to establish training centres in secondary schools is a good start. The federation stands to achieve more by keeping the under-20s active in international competitions.
