Kenya Prisons coach David Lung’aho says he would retain most players who featured in the FIVB Women’s World Club Championships last year for the inter-continental Championships.
Kenya Prisons coach David Lung’aho
Prisons would be representing Africa in this year’s event scheduled for October 6-14 in Zurich, Switzerland.
“World Club Championships tournament is all about experience and parading players who have been there before matters a lot,” Lung’aho said yesterday.
“I’m happy that most of the players in the current squad have been there before and they understand the level of competition required at such level,” he added.
“I am monitoring the performance of upcoming players with a view of introducing two or three of them in the final team of 12,” Lung’aho told FeverPitch.
Prisons players who have featured in all the last four editions of the event include middle blockers Bracksides Khadambi, Joan Jelagat, Loise Jepkosgei and Diana Khisa, setter Jane Wacu and net player Mercy Moim.
Attacker Evelyn Makuto, Elizabeth Wanyama, Esther Mwombe, Salome Wanjala and Jane Jepkemboi are other Prisons players who have previously featured in the Championships.
Youngsters in squad
Khadambi, Khisa, Wacu, Makuto and Moim were all in the National team squad that recently won African Cup of Nations tournament at Kasarani.
Youngsters fighting to catch the eye of Lung’aho include Edith Wisa, Joy Luseneka, Ruth Sirengo, Esther Simiyu and Florida Juma.
Lung’aho said he will unveil his traveling squad to the Media early next week.
“I’m still observing the players in training just to ensure ones who form the final team deserve to travel,” he said.
Prisons are yet to achieve a match win in the Championships in their last three appearances.
But with such experienced players in his arsenal, Lung’aho should now achieve his first match win at the continental show.
“It’s obvious that our opponents will be fielding professionals as it has always happened but we’re going to play our good volleyball and at least qualify for round two of the event,” Lung’aho said.
Meanwhile, the monetary value of the FIVB World Club Championships has made the event one of the most competitive around.
The tournament has total prize money of US$690,000 and every participating team earns part of the money.
Winners of the tournament pocket US$250,000 (Sh21m), runners-up US$170,000 (Sh14m), second runners-up US$120,000 (Sh10m), fourth-placed team US$90,000 (Sh7.5) while last two finishers earn US$30,000 (Sh2.5m) each.
The lucrative prize money has forced some of the teams to engage professional players in bid to win the event.
By OSCAR PILIPILI, The Standard
