Malkia Strikers book world cup ticket, close on Olympic qualification
The Kenya women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, registered a routine win over continental rivals Cameroon to book a ticket for next year’s Women’s Volleyball World Cup and close on 2028 Olympic Games qualification.
Enjoying a massive home crowd, the buzzing Malkia Strikers dismissed Cameroon 3-0 (25-20,25-19,25-19) in the semifinal of the CAVB Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship at Kasarani indoor arena to set up a final against Egypt on Friday at 6pm at the same venue.
Egypt had won against Rwanda 3-0 (25-5,25-17,32-30) in another semifinal.
The Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya who was in the arena urged Malkia to finish what they started saying Kenyans were behind the team that has made the country proud.
“This far you have done well and we call on you to finish the work tomorrow when you play Egypt. The end of the road is for you to qualify for Olympic Games now that you have already qualified for World Cup. The government through the President William Ruto and 58 million Kenyans are behind you and we will be cheering you,” said CS.
“I will talk to the president and you know what that means. But all in all, we are proud of you for what you have achieved so far and I just want you to complete the good work you begun,” he added.
The CS also revealed that they had earlier on held a meeting with FIVB president Fabio Azevedo, CAVB president Hajij Bouchra and Kenya Volleyball Federation executives on ways of bettering the sport saying good things were in the pipeline.
The Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi lauded the team for putting up a good show this far in the competition and urged them to finish the show on high note.
KVF president Charles Nyaberi acknowledged the unwavering support the Ministry has accorded the team saying they remain indebted.
“I want to thank the players for not putting us to shame. FIVB president Azevedo, CAVB president Bouchra, CS, PS and other dignitaries were in attendance and you can imagine how it could have been if the results would have not turned in our favour. But I appreciate the players for making us proud and I hope that tomorrow will not by different,” said Nyaberi.
Other dignitaries who attended the mouth-watering semi-final included Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Cordination Denis Itumbi, Nairobi County Women Representative Esther Passaris, Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu as well as Mozzart Kenya Country Manager Sasa Krneta among other officials.