Kenya fix eye on sole slot for Rio Olympics
National women's volleyball team skipper Brackcides Agala celebrates after their 3-0 win over Botswana during the Africa Cup of Nations Championships match on June 15, 2015 at Safaricom Indoor Arena. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Team faltered Cameroon
- The two competitions will be held in Puerto Rico and Argentina, respectively, starting May 19.
- Rising sensation Violet Makuto is among a team of 14 players selected by returning national team coach David Lung’aho and his assistant Japheth Munala.
The national women’s volleyball team will begin training for the World Olympic qualification and Group 2 FIVB Grand Prix tournaments at Safaricom Indoor Arena on Wednesday.
The two competitions will be held in Puerto Rico and Argentina, respectively, starting May 19.
Rising sensation Violet Makuto is among a team of 14 players selected by returning national team coach David Lung’aho and his assistant Japheth Munala.
Makuto, 23, earned the call-up to the senior squad on the back of impressive performances for club and country in the past year.
The Malava Girls alumnus, who is younger sibling of ex-Kenya international volleyball star Asha Makuto and French-based attacker Everlyne Makuto, was part of the junior national team that defied all odds to win the African Games in Brazzaville last year.
Last week, Violet was voted the Africa’s best blocker after powering Kenya Pipeline to third place during the Africa Club Championship in Tunisia.
“We should have won the club title. We lost due to questionable officiating. I am happy about the call-up to the national team. I would use this big platform to make up for that disappointment,” Violet told Daily Nation Sport on Tuesday.
Europe-based stars Brackides Agala and Esther Wangeci, alongside Kenya Pipeline veteran setter Janet Wanja are also in the team. Kenya have dropped six places to 18th out of 125 national teams in the FIVB rankings. During the two tournaments, the team will compete against Algeria, Colombia and hosts Puerto Rico for the single ticket available for Rio Olympic Games in August.
In the other championship, Bulgaria, the Dominican Republic and hosts Argentina stand in the way of the African Queens’ ambition to achieve back to back success at the international Grand Prix tournament.
“We are going flat out to qualify for the Olympics,” said coach Lung’aho.
FULL SQUAD
Mercy Moim (captain), Noel Murambi (assistant captain), Jane Wacu, Janet Wanja, Violet Makuto, Esther Wangeci, Everlyne Makuto, Monica Biama, Brackides Agala, Edith Wisa, Triza Atuka, Elizabeth Wanyama, Agripina Kundu.
Technical bench: David Lung’aho (coach), Japheth Munala (assistant coach).
