World championship volleyball 2022

Malkia Strikers to land professional deals abroad, says Bitok

The 16 member playing unit spent more than two months of High Performance Training in Brazil before being trimmed to 14 with Veronica Makokha and Margdaline Mwende dropped en route to Serbia.

In Summary

•Meanwhile, experienced Kenya Prisons attacker Michael Chemos has signed a one-year deal with Saudi Arabia top tier side AL Yarmouk.

•The Kenya Queens crushed out of group 'A' which also consisted Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Puerto Rico and Cameroon.

Lorine Chebet, Sharon Chepchumba and Emmaculate Nekesa celebrate their score against Serbia
Lorine Chebet, Sharon Chepchumba and Emmaculate Nekesa celebrate their score against Serbia
Image: /HANDOUT

Malkia Strikers coach Paul Bitok believes some of his players will land plum deals abroad following their exploits at the World Championships co-hosted by Poland and the Netherlands.

The Kenya queens bowed out of Group 'A' with just one win, against rivals Cameroon, in a pool that also had Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Puerto Rico.

"I do believe we have been inspired by this experience. We may not have met our target but we have learnt a lot in the process and we hope to continue until we make it," Bitok said. 

"I am sure some of our players will receive calls from abroad after impressing and showing the world the talent they possess. The future is bright and these players have the capacity to take the team to the next level."

Bitok singled out Sharon Chepchumba, Veronica Adhiambo and Emmaculate Nekesa as players for the future. Nekesa and Adhiambo were a class act in their Malkia debut. The duo is 19 and 21 respectively while Chepchumba, Kenya's best attacker is only 24.

Malkia benefited from the International Volleyball Federation partnership where a 16-member team spent more than two months in a high-performance training camp in Brazil.

The team was, however, whittled down to 14 on their way to Europe with Veronica Makokha and Margdaline Mwende dropped.

Captained by Mercy Moim, Malkia spent a week in Serbia where they played in two pre-world championship test matches.

"Players have sacrificed a lot. Being away from their families was a difficult call but their love for our country made it possible. We would like to inspire others from our experiences during our journey to this competition," said Moim.

"Apart from competition and training sessions in Brazil, we visited many sports academies, sporting clubs and a few academies in Serbia where we met sports legends and current stars. We thank our sponsors (Mozzart, FIVB, Mizuno and Osasco) in a big way for the gesture."

Meanwhile, experienced Kenya Prisons attacker Michael Chemos has signed a one-year deal with Saudi Arabia top tier side AL Yarmouk.

The move might help the towering attacker who can play as opposite or outside hitter regain his national team position after missing on Wafalme's squad for the African Cup of Nations last year in Rwanda.