Malkia Strikers' head coach Geoffrey Omondi instructs his charges during a training session at Nyayo stadium/ CHARLENE MALWA Malkia Strikers will focus on perfecting execution and tightening court communication as they enter the final phase of preparations for the 2025 FIVB World Championship in Thailand.
The team entered a residential camp at Summerdale Inn, Nairobi, where a leaner squad of 17 players is now fine-tuning ahead of departure.
“We’ve been working on our transitions, block timing, and quick recovery. There’s good energy in camp, and players are stepping up in terms of responsibility and execution,” said Malkia coach Geoffrey Omondi.
“This group understands what’s at stake, and we want to go to Thailand as a team that can compete — not just participate.”
The tactician, who took over the reins from Japheth Munala earlier this year, oversaw the release of three players as part of the final shaping process.
Dropped from the squad were Kenya Pipeline’s opposite hitter Loise Simiyu, Kenya Prisons’ libero Delphine Misoki, and KCB’s middle blocker Pauline Chemutai.
The remaining 17 players will continue training before the final 14 are confirmed to travel to Vietnam on August 14 for an international friendly tournament slated for August 15–20.
That tournament will serve as a dress rehearsal for the global stage, where the 10-time African champions have been pooled in Group G alongside Germany, Poland and hosts Vietnam. Kenyans start their World Championship campaign against Germany on August 23.
As the senior team works behind closed doors, their junior counterparts, Junior Malkia, are already making headlines in Cameroon after opening their African U20 Championship with a straight-sets win over Senegal.
The young side, coached by Jackline Barasa, claimed a 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-20) win in their Monday evening opener in Yaoundé, sending a strong statement of intent.
“We had tough serves, good backcourt defence, and strong attacks,” Barasa said. “However, we still need to improve our reception and setting. In the first set, we had a few challenges, but the girls settled down well after that.”
Barasa urged the girls to stay grounded and stick to their promise to the Sports Cabinet Secretary and Kenyans — to fight for qualification to the FIVB U20 World Championship.
Captain and Kenya Cup MVP Terry Tata, 19, led by example, anchoring the team with sharp serves, confident spikes and firm blocks. Her all-around display earned her the Player of the Match award.
“She was calm, encouraged her teammates, and her blocking and attacking were excellent,” Barasa added.
Tata admitted she had set herself a personal target during training — to bag an individual award — and was glad to have achieved it in the tournament opener.
With this victory, Junior Malkia have taken an important step toward their dream of representing Kenya at the World Championships next year. “We are bringing victory home,” Barasa said. “Please keep praying and supporting us," she concluded.
