Having impressed in the recently concluded Under-21 beach zonal qualifiers in Tanzania, fast-rising Strathmore duo of Mathias Kemboi and Wilfred Kimutai are seeking to book one of the four slots during the African Nation Cup next month in Algeria.
The team, under the stewardship of Patrick Owino, emerged overall winners ahead of host Tanzania and Uganda. The other Zone Five-member Egypt were given a bye.
The event, which is set for April 3-8, will be a qualifier for the June 16-23 FIVB World Championship to be staged in Thailand.
Kenya Beach Volleyball Federation chairman, Ben Juma, said the two players have been impressive during the ongoing beach circuits and their performance last weekend was expected.
Juma said it is unfortunate they didn’t get women players to field in the zonals, adding that most of the beach players were busy with their respective clubs ahead of this weekend’s African Club Championship in Egypt.
“It’s unfortunate we won’t be represented in the women’s category because of the circumstance we had earlier. However, we are optimistic we will have both genders in the senior championship that will be held in Cape Verde on June 14-23,” said the official who doubles up as the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) secretary general.
He added: “I’m glad the third national beach circuit is on this weekend at the Pirates beach in Mombasa and I believe the players will use the event as a build-up ahead of the forthcoming event. Thereafter, we intend to put the two players in camp in Mombasa to gel.”
