Nairobi, Kenya, December 16, 2019 - The Kenyan women’s national team started their preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualification Tournament that will take place in Cameroon from January 5-9, 2020.
Under the tutelage of coach Paul Bitok and assistant coaches Japheth Munala and Josp Barasa, the team is training hard to come up with a formidable combination that will earn the remaining spot for the African continent in the quadrennial event in Tokyo, Japan.
Having missed out on the last three editions of the Olympic Games, the Malkia strikers are eager to succeed in their quest to secure the continental ticket.
Coach Bitok is expecting tough competition from top African nations, including Egypt, Botswana, Nigeria, as well as hosts Cameroon, which represented the continent at the last Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
The coaching staff already came up with a comprehensive training programme and have been made available to all the players who were called up after the national league playoffs. The coaches have also invited Kenya Prisons’ middle blocker Joan Chelagat, who could bolster the line-up.
The Kenyan Volleyball Federation is currently in the works to schedule an international friendly match before the team jets off to Cameroon for the competition.
Bitok has released a 20-player wide roster which will be trimmed down later to provide the players with an equal chance of making it to the final team.
Kenya women’s national team
1. Jane Wacu – Club Arsu
2. Joy Lusenaka – Kenya Prisons
3. Esther Mutinda – Kenya Pipeline
4. Edith Mukuvilani – Kenya Prisons
5. Lorine Chebet – Kenya Prisons
6. Gladys Ekaru - Kenya Pipeline
7. Carolyne Sirengo – DCI
8. Joan Chelagat – Kenya Prisons
9. Trizah Atuka – Kenya Pipeline
10. Sharon Chepchumba – Kenya Pipeline
11. Emmaculate Chemtai – Kenya Prisons
12. Violet Makuto – KCB
13. Noel Murambi – KCB
14. Leonida Kasaya – KCB
15. Pamela Jepkirui – Kenya Prisons
16. Jemimah Siangu – KCB
17. Mercy Moim (captain) – Kenya Prisons
18. Lincy Jeruto – KCB
19. Agripina Kundu – Kenya Pipeline
20. Elizabeth Wanyama – Kenya Prisons