Kenya volleyball team eyes junior ticket to world championships

The Kenyan women's team was on Wednesday in buoyant mood as they departed for Cairo, Egypt for the Africa Junior volleyball championship, which starts on Friday.

The three day championship will bring together eight teams including hosts Egypt, Seychelles, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Cameroon.

The winner of the tournament will secure the lone ticket from Africa for the World championships later in the year. Sports Minister Hassan Wario wished the team success and asked them to enjoy their game.

"Many girls of your age wish to be in your place. Your talent has earned you this opportunity to showcase your talent abroad, seize it," he said.

Sylvester Kioko was named as the team head coach and will guide the team as they seek their ticket to Cyprus for the world championships in July.

Team captain Ann Lowen said she is happy with the training and preparations they have had and is certain they will emerge victorious.

"We are determined to bring down all our opponents. We want the crown we can't settle for less," said Lowem.

Egypt will be Kenya's biggest challenger as they seek to revenge a past loss where Kenya hit them 3-0 in last year's African youth championships. "We are not ready to play second fiddle to Egypt again," she said.

Kenya failed to send the women's under-18 and 20 teams to Algiers, Algeria for Africa Championships last year.

This will be the second time girls' age group teams take part in international competitions in two years. The national under-23 team played at the World Championships in Mexico in 2013.

"Everything is in place and this youthful side are poise for the qualifying to global championships in Cyprus," said Kenya Volleyball Federation chairman Waithaka Kioni. Endite