Kenyan volleyball clubs and Malkia Strikers will readjust their schedules after Egypt withdrew from hosting the annual Men and Women’s Africa Club Championship. – By Madellene Kalunda.
Yesterday Egypt joined Kenya in declining to stage the events that have since been postponed for the third time. The event was to be held in May last year, but was pushed to April 2021 due to Covid-19.
Early this month Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) declined a request by the Confederation of Africa Volleyball (CAVB) to host the women’s event, which has now been pushed back by a month, to May.
The women’s edition was initially planned for mid-April, while the men’s championship that was penciled for March 31 to April 12, has been moved to between April 16 and 28.
The women championship will run from 16th to 28th May. Egypt, pulled out with about two weeks left to the Africa’s premium inter-club competition.
The latest developments have since forced CAVB to move both events to Tunisia.
Kenya is expected to send at least 6 teams in Kenya Prisons; men and women, KCB, GSU, Kenya Pipeline and debutantes Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to the competition.
Egypt had reservations about the security of athletes, especially those coming from countries that have reported the third wave of Covid-19.
KVF men’s league champions GSU said they would have to readjust their programme, even as Gideon Tarus targets a medal bracket with the paramilitary side.
Coach Josp Baraza is also targeting an improved performance with Kenya Prisons women’s team, Kenya’s most successful club at the continental stage.
The changes will also have implications on the national team Olympic Games preparation.
