Malkia Strikers decry ‘negligence’ from government ahead of World Championships

The national women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, is in Vietnam, readying for the FIVB 2025 World Championship, set for Friday, 22 August, to Sunday, 7 September, in Thailand.

The team will be looking to break the second-round jinx as they compete in Pool G in Phuket against Germany, Poland, and Vietnam, with the top two teams advancing to the round of 16.

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Ahead of their departure to Vietnam, Malkia Strikers’ skipper Meldina Sande singled out disruptions in training as a huge dent to their preparations.

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“We did the best with what we had in terms of facilities, but better could be done in the future. The constant unavailability of Nyayo and Kasarani due to the ongoing CHAN 2024 forced us to use some less-than-ideal venues for training.

With the level of competition expected in Thailand, we need better training facilities and conditions. International exposure is also crucial to get us to the level of our opponents,” Sande told Mozzart Sport.

Sande argues that Malkia Strikers should not be scrambling for attention from the ministry.

“Next time, we should be given better consideration, even when the nation is hosting something like this. We are going to a World Championship as African champions. If good results are expected from us, then everything should be better.”

Malkia Strikers, who were allegedly forced to use part of their sponsorship money to cater for their residential training accommodation expenses, held their last two days of training at the Kenya Pipeline indoor training facility.

Meanwhile, sources close to the team intimate that the ‘negligence’ is likely running deeper. Questions lingered when the side appeared for their flagging off donned in their sponsor, Mozzart Bet’s attire, a long way off the norm where national teams are dressed in the official Team Kenya kit for such events.

The team is said to have travelled without any kitting, including training gear and shoes. The playing kit will be distributed abroad as well.

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What is more, murmurs indicate that their allowances had not been paid before their departure, leaving most of the players demoralised. 

The team will play several build-up matches in Vietnam before flying out to Thailand on Wednesday, 20 August.

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