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Kenya set focus on volleyball World Cup conquest in Japan

Xinhua, August 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Kenyan women's volleyball team started its training camp in Nairobi on Friday, focusing on finishing in top spot at the FIVB World Cup, which starts in Japan on Aug 22 to Sept 6.

Head coach David Lung'aho has recalled setter Farida Efumbi and Bilha Jepchirchir to the 14-member team as he seeks to stamp his authority on the competition, in which Kenya will be competing for the sixth time.

"The team is in good shape because they were recently playing in the Grand Prix. But we have opted to add steel to the team and improve our reception. We will have many matches and everyone will be playing," said Lung'aho on Friday in Nairobi.

The volleyball World Cup is the climax of this year's international volleyball season and will qualify two teams to join hosts Brazil at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year.

Twelve teams will play 66 matches in the space of 16 days. Kenya is grouped together with host Japan in Pool A in Tokyo, where they are joined by the Dominican Republic, Russia, Argentina and Cuba.

The players, will however, skip the Africa Games, which will be starting at the same time in Brazzaville, Congo with the country opting to enter a second string team.

"It is a sacrifice that we had to make and enter a second team at the Africa competition. The players wanted to compete in both, but they will be tired and so it is important we look at the priority and currently, it is the World Cup," said the coach.

Kenya made their debut in the competition 24 years ago and finished second last despite beating Peru 3-1.

It remained the only win for the country until this year when the African Queens beat Australia, Mexico, Peru and Colombia in the World Grand Prix.

Some of Kenya's players had their skills honed in Japan, led by veteran captain, Praxcides Agala, Janet Wanja and Jane Wacu with several Japanese coaches coming to Nairobi to help establish the sport in Africa.

Kenyan squad: Praxcides Agala, Ruth Jepng'etich, Monica Biama, Noel Murambi, Mercy Moim, Jane Wacu, Everlyn Makuto, Janet Wanja, Farida Efumbi, Bilha Jepchirchir, Elizabeth Wanyama, Lydia Maiyo, Easther Wangeci, Triza Atuka. Endi