Best yet to come, says attacker Chepchumba

KCB Volleyball Club attacker Sharon Chepchumba works out at her home in Nairobi on May 30, 2020.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Chepchumba, who is fondly known as ‘Chumba’, cant wait to play in 2020 Olympic Games due in Japan next year.
  • She said the Olympics will be another opportunity for her to showcase her abilities, adding that players should treat the event with the seriousness it deserves.

Onform Kenya women's volleyball team right attacker Sharon Chepchumba believes her best is yet to come despite her career taking off well last year.

Chepchumba, who crossed over to KCB Ladies Volleyball Team early  this year from Kenya Pipeline, had successful outings last  with the national team ‘Malkia Strikers’ in assignments, including the women's Africa Nations Cup in Egypt, Intercontinental Olympic qualifiers in Italy, the African Games in Morocco, and FIVB World Cup in Japan. 

The former Kwanthanze Secondary School alumna early this year propelled Kenya to a hard-fought win against stubborn home team Cameroon during the African qualifiers for the Olympics.

Despite the accolades, Chepchumba says she is just getting started.

"I had a good run last year but I'm not where I want to be. I'm happy that in my first match with the national team last year, my star rose. I want to better, " the 23-year-old told Nation Sport on Saturday during her individual training sessions at her home in Ruiru. 

Natural left attacker

Chepchumba who is a natural left attacker but has since been transformed into a right attacker, said she wants to make a name for herself locally before turning professional. 

Last year, she attracted interest from clubs in Turkey, France, Belgium and recently Cyprus but she turned down the offers. 

"I want to build my brand first at home. I have received offers here and there but I'm not keen on making a move just yet. I still have a long way to go as far as the sport is concerned, and I need to learn all the ropes," Chepchumba, who has previously played for Kenya Volleyball Federation National League champions Kenya Prisons, said.

Chepchumba, who is fondly known as ‘Chumba’, cant wait to play in 2020 Olympic Games due in Japan next year.

She said the Olympics will be another opportunity for her to showcase her abilities, adding that players should treat the event with the seriousness it deserves.

Kenya will return to the Olympics after 16-year hiatus.

The team saw off Cameroon, Botswana, Nigeria and Egypt in the qualifiers in Cameroon early this year to take the sole ticket reserved for Africa at the Olympics.

"Training programmes from the national team and clubs have kept me going. I also watch games on YouTube and I observe what I eat, which helps me to maintain my physique. I have missed playing volleyball and I hope coronavirus is contained and normalcy returns so that I can pick up from where I left," she said.