Kenyan international inks deal with Rwandan club
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 13.11.24. | 13:21
The move was announced by the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) on their social media handles
Kenyan volleyball sensation Meldina Sande has taken her talent across the border. The Kenya Prisons sensational attacker has signed a season-long contract with one of East Africa’s most competitive volleyball sides; Rwanda National Police Volleyball Club.
Sande departed Nairobi on Tuesday evening, set to make her debut in Rwanda's blossoming professional indoor league which has become a hotspot for top volleyball talent from across the continent.
The move was announced by the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) on their social media handles.
“This move sends a strong message to Kenya’s Volleyball Federation and stakeholders: it’s time to elevate and professionalize our league to retain our top talent and attract the best from the region.
As neighbouring leagues continue to raise the bar, Kenya must act to remain the premier destination for our homegrown stars.
Best of luck to Meldina in this exciting new chapter—may her journey inspire us to build a professional volleyball league that keeps our talent thriving here in Kenya,” the statement from KVF read.
Sande’s volleyball career has been anything but conventional. She came to the limelight during her second appearance for Malkia Strikers at the African Clubs Championship in Tunisia in 2022.
Her love for the sport began unexpectedly at Mukumu Secondary School. Initially drawn to music, Sande fell in love with volleyball after being spotted by her coach, Willy Bitok, who noticed her height and physical potential.
At that time, Mukumu were competitive in national and regional school games, and though Sande lacked formal training, her powerful jumps and agility set her apart.
In 2015, without any prior experience, she was fielded by Bitok in an open tournament at Moding High School in Busia County. Although her team did not perform well, Sande caught the eye of David Lung’aho, then coach of the Prisons women's team, who encouraged her to consider a volleyball career.
Lung’aho’s words marked the beginning of her journey, and she led her school to the regional finals, although they were eventually defeated by Lugulu.
In 2016, Soweto Secondary signed her during the national school games in Eldoret, where she proved her potential once again, even though her team was bested by Kosirai Secondary School.
After completing high school, Sande had offers from top clubs, including Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Prisons, eventually choosing Prisons, where she further honed her skills and became one of the sport's brightest talents.
She is also a singer and is a part of the Kenya Prisons Band. In 2020, she released her first song, “Mpongo Love by Ndaya,” though the rendition did not receive the viewership she had hoped for.
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