Oronje calls for tech investment as Malkia Targets global standards

Patricia Chemtai (20) and Sheila Khasandi (5) block an opponent during the world championships in Thailand/ HANDOUT 

Malkia Strikers’ team manager John Oronje believes investment in technology will help the team bridge the gap between them and the world’s top nations.

Oronje observed that the sport is evolving fast, and they can no longer continue depending on talent alone.

Modern systems in officiating and performance analysis, he said, are currently commonplace among the top volleyball-playing nations.

“We have to invest in infrastructure and more so electronic equipment like Video Challenge and VIS,” Oronje said. 

“I know the equipment is expensive, but we are hopeful that through the government and our sponsor, Mozzart, we will get it. We hope to get the equipment soon to start using it in the national league and the Kenya Cup.”

With the equipment, I believe we will have done away with complaints of poor officiating.”

Oronje was speaking from Phuket, Thailand, where Kenya concluded their FIVB World Championship campaign with a straight-sets victory over Vietnam (25-23, 25-20, 25-18).

This was after falling Gerto many 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-21) in their opener and 3-1 (25-15, 25-23, 22-25, 25-20) to Poland in their second Pool ‘G’ match.

Group winners Poland and runners-up Germany progressed to the Round of 16, as Kenya finished third, exiting alongside bottom-placed Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Oronje has praised the squad’s resilience and potential. 

“This was a relatively new squad. They performed well. We laud them for the performance they have posted at the World Championship. We want to build on this going forward,” he said.

The youthful side has an average age of 23, including 18-year-old Terry Tata, who impressed on her senior team debut. 

“A player like Tata has been impressive. I wouldn’t be shocked if she gets interest from teams across the world,” Oronje noted.

However, he emphasised the need to recall some of the experienced players. 

“It does not mean that we’ve locked out the experienced players left out of this championship. Their services will still be needed,” Oronje said. 

He pointed to big names such as former captains Mercy Moim and Triza Atuka, hard-hitting Sharon Chepchumba, KCB skipper Edith Wisa, Leonida Kasaya and libero Agripina Kundu.

He attributed the improved performance partly to the decision to host most Kenya Volleyball Federation League matches indoors.

“We have no choice but to ensure our league matches are played indoors,” he said. “All in all, we are happy with the team’s performance. We want them to go home, rest, have time with family as they plan for the new season, which starts in late September,” he concluded.