•“We have been here for the World Cup and the World Championship, but this Arena is really good. It has a very good atmosphere,” —Bitok
•The wholesome government support channeled towards the team eased off concerns that might have otherwise derailed their quest for success at the quadrennial event.
Malkia Strikers will be strutting their stuff inside the fanciful ultramodern Arieka Arena at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Plying trade in such an awesome facility superbly developed from a top-notch architectural concept, seems to provoke some peculiar mojo in the Kenyan camp.
But none finds the surreal spectacle more entrancing than Malkia Strikers’ head coach Paul Bitok. Bitok has described the arena as ephemeral, saying a training session inside the facility on Thursday provided an out of the world experience.
He therefore tips Malkia Strikers to immerse themselves in abundant fun when they ultimately roll out their campaign this week with eyes, of course, firmly trained on a historic medal.
“The competition venue is one of the best. I think it is among the leading because we have never seen this kind of facility. It is the best arena that we have played in before,” said Bitok.
“We have been here for the World Cup and the World Championship, but this Arena is really good. It has a very good atmosphere,” he added.
Tucked away in northern part of Tokyo's Ariake district, the arena is a new sporting and cultural marvel with a seating capacity of up to 15,000.
Bitok contends the arena’s ambience alone is sufficient incentive to fire an athlete to unprecedented heights, given its potential to conjure up a sense of conquest even before competition begins.
“Everyone would like to be in this kind of situation, this kind of arena. We are feeling this is the real Olympics. When you are inside alone, you are already motivated because of the facility.
“I am very happy that I am part of the generation that will change the volleyball standards in Kenya.
And why not? After all, didn't Malkia Strikers spend ample time traversing the globe while sharpening their claws for the event?
The gaffer hangs on to the conviction his charges have blossomed through the gloomy shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic to push the boundaries of what seems humanly possible as they eye Kenya's first Olympic medal in volleyball.
“It is the first time we have trained for four months and even having 15 days of training outside Kenya.
“We are ready and we hope what we have been doing with the team will give us results. I think the players are motivated to be here at the Olympics.
“We are excited to play the first match. We want to win matches. We want to be in the second round,” he says excitedly.
The wholesome government support channeled towards the team eased off concerns that might have otherwise derailed their quest for success at the quadrennial event.
“We were given good accommodation, good facilities, good uniforms and also allowances were paid in time. We didn’t have problems. Government and NOCK make it easy for coaches.
“We thank the government, the National Olympic Committee for honouring their pledge and giving us everything in time. I think the Sports Minister Amina Mohamed is doing a good job to all sports,” said Bitok.
The tactician further observed that the global showpiece had afforded the women's national team an opportunity to brush shoulders with the high and mighty in the world of sports.
“It makes them feel they are on the same level. They realise they are stars when they are together. It will really motivate the young ones, the new generation to strive to participate at the Olympics.
Bitok said they have been using the dress rehearsals to perfect their act and device novel ways of surmounting their Group A opponents – namely Japan, Serbia, Dominican Republic and South Korea.
“Technically, we are ok. We have worked on various departments. Before, we used to lift weights and had two trainings per week. But once the Brazilians came in, we have been working daily, working on strength conditioning, which we were not used to.
“We have studied our opponents’ tactics by watching some of the matches we have played against them. We have watched some of their matches especially when they played in Italy two months ago. We have analysed statistics and videos of these three teams,” said Bitok.
Malkia have been burning the midnight oil sealing all the loopholes their opponents might capitalise on.
“On our side, we are working on our weaknesses. We always have a problem with reception, but I think we have covered these areas. With the help of these Brazilian coaches, we are using statistics even during matches.
“We have someone, who advises us on what to do and, which areas of weakness we can exploit on the other side of the opponent,” says Bitok.
Despite Kenya winning the Women's African Volleyball Championship a record nine times, an Olympic medal has proven elusive.
Malkia made appearances at the 2000 Summer Olympics and the 2004 Summer Olympics and finished eleventh at both events. However, Bitok is keen to compose an entirely different narrative at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by guiding the team to the medal podium.