National men’s volleyball team coach Geoffrey Omondi has called for the current team to be retained.
Just returned from the All Africa Games qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda, thew coach lauded praised the players’ fighting spirit.
Despite succumbing to Rwanda in their last match of the four-nation tournament to bow out and miss the sole ticket on offer to the Pan African showcase in Brazzaville Congo in September, the coach said the players picked up valuable lessons in the Rwandese capital.
“Critics, were quick to question the composition of the team. Thdey accused it of lacking experience and exposure. I was not spared either, they questioned my pedigree, but all in all, we gave it our all, although our best was not good enough,” observed Omondi.
“The so called youngsters were able to beat Burundi and Uganda without losing sets. The fact that, they stretched hosts Rwanda to a five set thriller then, proves these lads will be the obnes to look out for in future competitions,” said Omondi who doubles up as Cooperative Bank of Kenya’s men’s team coach in the Kenya Volleyball Federation national league.
The tactician, has requested the KVF management to retain the players and if necessary to field the same men’s team in upcoming international matches.
Omondi, noted: “Unlike Kenya Rwanda have continued to support the national team and the results are their for everyone to see. While we have to pay up for the facilities at the Safaricom indoor arena, at Kasarani, Rwanda access facilities at their on comfort. The national team is left in the hands and mercy of the Government, here the script is different, surely with such arrangements, how can we match up to our opponents? Questioned the former national team player.
He added, “If the men’s team can be featuring in any available competitions, then the team will definitely reckon. But the mistakes we can do is to disperse the players. Many at times, technical bench attached to men’s team have always had a hard time assembling the team ahead of any tournament and I hope that now that this squad is here, we can make amends from here.”
Omondi was also quick to urge KVF to to send the team to the upcoming men’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cairo, Egypt, this July.
