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Kenya: Championship Has Revealed New Stars, Coach Bitok Says

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4 years ago

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Kenya women’s volleyball team coach, Paul Bitok, believes the plan to mould new crop of players remains firmly on course after the conclusion of the 2021 African Nations Championships in Kigali.

On Sunday night, Kenya failed to reclaim the title it last won in 2015 in Nairobi, succumbing to rivals Cameroon 3-1 sets (25-21,25-23,15-25, and 23-25) in the final.

Bitok says that although the team had a shaky start in the tournament, he is glad Kenya qualified for next year’s World Championships which will be staged in Poland and the Netherlands.

“We started the competition on a slow note but from the group stages, our performance improved, enabling us to get a ticket to the 2022 World Championships.As I mentioned earlier, our plans and effort aimed at building a new generation of players is on course,” stated Bitok.

“Our target to be the future undisputed title holders and African representatives at the Olympics is achievable. I thank all the players, members of the technical bench, the Kenya Volleyball Federation and the Ministry of Sports for the great support they have accorded the team during preparation and in the competition. We hope to propel the team to greater heights,” he added.

In the 14-member squad that played in the biennial event, Bitok gave starts to youngsters and promising setter Esther Mutinda,middle blockers Lorraine Chebet and Gladys Ekaru, as well as the much-improved left attacker Pamela Masaisai and Veronica Adhiambo. It was a clear indication of transition in the team.

Only liberos Agripina Kundu and Elizabeth Wanyama, captain Mercy Moim, middle blocker Edith Wisa, left attacker Leonida Kasaya and right attacking duo of Emmaculate Chemtai and Sharon Chepchumba were in the team that competed in the previous edition of the event.