Kipkorir ready for world stage after renewing contract in Tunisia

Kenyan international Simion Kipkorir renewed his contract with Mouloudia Sportive De Bousalem Tunisia, late last month for the 2023–24 season.

After a highly successful 2022/2023 season, the middle blocker, who played a pivotal role in the team's remarkable victory at the 2023 Africa Club Championships, establishing himself as a key asset, will be part of the Tunisian side for another year.

During the continental competition, Kosirai, as the player is fondly known in volleyball circles, was named Africa’s best middle blocker and also became the first Kenyan to lift the coveted men’s club title.

As he begins a second season with the African champions, the 25-year-old has set his sights on excelling at the world stage when his club takes part in the men’s club world championships.

The championships will be staged between December 6 and 10, 2023, in India. The host city will be announced later this year.

The tournament brings the best of international volleyball to India. For over 20 years, the Volleyball Club World Championships have featured the best men’s professional clubs from around the world, competing for the title of World Champions and a share of over USD 350,000 (Ksh 52,115,000).

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“Competing on such a grand stage will be a dream come true and is one of the reasons I decided to extend my stay here even when I had interest from elsewhere. I am confident that this will open more doors for me and for more Kenyan players to be drafted in the pro leagues outside the country,” the soft-spoken former General Service Unit (GSU) skipper told Mozzart Sport.

The competition formula of the championship has been constantly changed to fit the different number of teams that participate in each edition.

In general, the format of the tournament involves eight teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation over a period of about one week; the winners of that year's AVC Club Volleyball Championship (Asia), African Clubs Championship (Africa), South American Volleyball Club Championship (South America) and CEV Champions League (Europe), along with the host city's team and a nominated team from North America. The number of teams is increased through wildcard invitees.

Starting from 2024, the qualification for the Club World Championships will be as follows: two places per continent for Europe, Asia, and South America; one place for Africa; and finally, a club from the host nation will be granted a place. This change aims to ensure fair representation from different continents and provides an opportunity for the host country to participate in the tournament.