The FIVB Volleyball Women World Championships in Japan are slated for August 22 to September 6 while the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville will take place from September 4-9.
While in Australia for the final leg of the 2015 FIVB Grand Prix in July, captain Bracksides Agala cautioned the volleyball officials about diving the team into two.
Reports reached us that the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) has spilt this team into two, meaning that other players will go to the World Cup, while others will feature in the All Africa Games. Really it does not make sense at this stage for such development to occur
Agala said while addressing team manager Kipkemei Sirima before adding
Again, we are told that junior players will then be added to these two teams of which we are not sure whether they are training back at home or not. Surely, how can we perform with this type of arrangements .My request to the KVF is to not divide this team and allow the junior team to go the World Cup event
A decision has been made and the unchanged side that won the ninth continental title and got promoted to the FIVB Grand Prix will play at the World Cup.
The junior side with a blend of senior players will vie for gold at the All Africa Games, an honor Kenya hasn’t attained since the 1999 games in Johannesburg South Africa.
KVF Chairman Waithaka Kioni confirmed the decision reached up on;
We are sending our “A” team to Japan with the hope that they will compete credibly among the cream of international volleyball. The players are on form as you saw during the FIVB Grand Prix last month
The Japan based contingent will be led by experienced David Lung’aho who will be assisted by Japheth Munala.
They departed for Japan on Thursday and will have a week long training camp as they try to beat to their best finish ever at the world cup when they finished 11th out of 12 team.
That was the last time, Kenya also won a game at the world cup, but their recent form at the nations championship and Grand Prix will be a big factor as they open their world cup campaign against Cuba on August 22.
The team going for the All Africa Games will be coached by Paul Gitau who is assisted by Esther Jepkosgei.
Interestingly the senior team going for the World Cup will receive an allowance of Ugx 5m each compared to the All Africa Games team that will get thrice that amount.
World Cup team: Brackides Agala, Mercy Moim, Elizabeth Wanyama, Janet Wanja, Jane Wacu, Monica Biama, Noel Murambi, Ruth Jepng’etich, Esther Wangeci, Everlyne Makuto, Lydia Maiyo, Triza Atuka.
Coach: David Lung’aho. Assistant coach: Japheth Munala
All Africa Games Team: Edith Wisa, Joy Luseneka, Ann Lowen, Yvonne Wavinya, Shirleen Chepkomei, Immaculate Chemutai, Eunice Maiyo, Edna Rotich, Salome Wanjala, Glady Wangoi.
Coach: Peter Gitau. Assistant coach: Esther Jepkosegei
FIVB World Cup (women) fixtures
Cuba v Kenya – 22nd August
Russia v Kenya – 24th August
Japan v Kenya – 26th August
Kenya v Argentina – 27th August
Kenya v USA – 30th August
Kenya v China – 31st August
Kenya v Algeria – 1st September
Kenya v South Korea – 4th September
Kenya v Serbia – 5th September
Kenya v Peru – 6th September
FIVB World Cup (Women) venues and Capacity
Yoyogi national gymnasium (Tokyo) – 13,291
Sendai Gymnasium (Sendai) – 7,000
Nippon Gaishi Hall (Nagoya) – 10,000
Mtasumoto City Gymnasium (Matsumoto) – 6,000
Momotaro area (Okayama) – 11,000
Park Arena Komaki (Komaki) – 5,000
