Malkia Strikers intensified their training at Nyayo National Stadium ahead of the 2025 FIVB World Championship, set for Thailand from August 22 to September 7, 2025.
The Kenya national women’s volleyball team, who have been in camp, have been going through their paces under the watchful eye of head coach Geoffrey Omondi.
Omondi, who doubles up as Kenya Pipeline women’s volleyball coach, replaced Japheth Munala on March 29, 2025, and has been keen on fine-tuning the African Queens’ technical skills and game approach tactics.
Buoyed by a clean bill of health, Omondi said preparations are going on well, morale is high in the camp, and they are targeting at least one victory in the preliminaries.
“Despite the conditions, we are giving it our best. We are preparing well. The team is in high spirits. So far, so good. We do not have any injuries. We are evaluating the players based on positional balance and readiness, and this is the criteria we used to trim the team,” said the experienced gaffer.
The African Queens will battle Poland, Germany, and Vietnam in a tough Pool G.
The 10-time African champions are captained by Rwanda Police left attacker Meldina Sande, and deputised by Kenya Pipeline blocker Gladys Ekaru, who recently made a comeback to the national team.
The squad of 20 players will further be trimmed to 14 before the team’s departure to Thailand, where they are expected to play a series of friendlies between August 15 to 20.
These friendlies are crucial to further prepare the squad for the global showpiece.
Captain Sande said healthy competition within the camp has seen the players pull up their socks and bring in their A-game, thus improving performance.
“Everyone is pushing hard. We are trying to polish the things we need to work on, like reception, service, and blocks. We know that only 14 players will make the final list, so everyone is giving their best to make it,” Sande said.
The technical bench is focusing on areas that have historically challenged African teams on the international stage, including service, reception, and blocking.
