Playing at the Tokyo Olympic Games was an eye-opener for the national women's beach volleyball team but structures are needed if Kenya is to become a powerhouse in the sport, according to coach Sammy Mulinge.
Mulinge, a former APR of Rwanda coach, emphasised the need to integrate beach volleyball into school sports programmes for long-term planning. This, he said, would help tap the young talents from the grassroots, who, after a short period will feed the national team with quality players.
He said the planned beach volleyball national homologated tour later in the year will enable Kenya obtain points from the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB).
"There's no doubt that Tokyo was a launchpad to greater things. Plans for implementation of lessons learnt are in place especially with the national tour, which is vital in talent identification. We need to take the game to the grassroots by spreading it to counties," said Mulinge.
"The homologated tour must be sanctioned by FIVB in order for us to earn points. Youth development will not only enable us field players in age-group competitions but will also enable selectors have a bunch of good players to choose from. We are targeting the Under-21 and U-19 African qualifiers to the World Championships though CAVB are yet to confirm the date and venue."
Mulinge pointed out that capacity building is also necessary in order to popularise the sport and draw more interest from stakeholders. The federation, he said, will therefore hold clinics and seminars in counties.
Nyandarua and Homabay have agreed to put up courts according to Mulinge, while Makueni and Nyeri remain target areas. He discredited the notion that beach volleyball is a retirement camp for players, insisting the game has never been taken seriously and should be treated just like indoor volleyball.
"Bringing infrastructure near the players would be a step in the right direction. To be honest, beach volleyball has never been given the attention it deserves," he said.
"Much attention has been handed to Malkia Strikers but our heroics in the African qualifiers and the Tokyo exploits should make everybody to rethink and give this sport the support it requires. Investment is needed before we can witness better results in international tournaments."
"The game can be played anywhere," added Mulinge as he desputed claims that only beaches can host the sport.
"You only need fine sand, line strat, a net and balls. Beach volleyball is not that special because we don't need a hall. The Federation is engaging the Ministry of Sports through the Sports Fund to put up two courts at Nyayo Stadium. Kenyatta University are also in the process of putting up courts."
"Beach volleyball is an inclusive sport irrespective of age, colour, gender, race and nationality and the selection process will entirely be based on performance," he added.
It remains to be seen if the above highlighted issues will be addressed but all in all the future looks bright.
