Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) league clubs have been warned that they risk being locked out if they skip the second leg.
KVF organizing secretary Ismael Chege Chege was reacting after women teams especially snubbed the opening leg of the league in Kapsabet.
During the first leg, only four teams turned up in the women's division as opposed to 10 in the men's cadre.
While the men's category was nearly a full house, only Kenya Pipeline, Kenya Prisons, Nairobi Prisons, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation DCI turned up for the women's category—contrary to the past seasons.
"The first leg has always had its fair share of challenges with lack of sponsorship and teams scrambling to sign players ahead of the opener which is understood. However, any team that will not turn up for the second leg should consider themselves out of KVF 2021/22 league season," Chege remarked.
He added: "Some teams have been in touch with the federation while others like Nairobi Water, who were there last season, haven't communicated."
Eyebrows were raised when KVF announced the first leg will be played in Kapsabet outdoor, contrary to the unanimous agreement to have the games staged at Nyayo gymnasium and at Maknde Hall Mombasa.
Volleyball has taken an indoor approach to enable players to adjust to facilities like the gym which are proving essential to sportspersons' development.
Chege said the subsequent legs will be staged indoors at Makande, Nyayo, and Nazarene University after the institution agreed with the federation to host some of the matches in their spacious and well-equipped facility.
"From the second leg onwards, all matches will be indoors. The schedule remains as earlier communicated in regard to Makande and Nyayo. Some matches will be played at Nazarene as well."
Men defending champions GSU began their campaign with a routine win against Kenya Army in straight sets. Titleholders in the women category, Kenya Prisons, scalped Nairobi Prisons by the same scoreline. Kenya Forest Service beat Prison Central while Prisons Kenya (men) beat Prisons Nyanza among others.
