Dj Vnyash
The national women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, is gearing up for their second warm-up match in Miramas, France, as part of their intensive preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris next week.
Earlier this week, Malkia Strikers defeated Istress of Miramas in three straight sets, marking a positive start to their preparation under the guidance of head coach Japheth Munala. Looking ahead, Munala plans to assess the team’s readiness by possibly arranging a match against a local boys’ team to identify and address areas needing improvement, particularly in ball reception and net play.
Despite areas for improvement noted from Monday’s match, Munala expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting their explosive play, which he hadn’t seen in a while. Thursday’s match will serve as another crucial opportunity to evaluate their defensive and offensive strategies, as well as their overall gameplay and ball reception.
This will be Malkia Strikers’ fourth appearance in the Olympic Games, having previously participated in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and Tokyo 2020. Despite their dominance in African volleyball, securing a set at the Olympics has remained elusive for the team.
For Munala, who is coaching at his first Olympic Games after missing out in 2020, this opportunity holds great significance. He is determined to make a lasting impact and motivate the team to showcase their best performance, regardless of the outcome.
In the upcoming Games, Kenya will face formidable opponents including Japan, Brazil, and Poland, all ranked among the top teams globally. Despite the tough competition ahead, Munala emphasized the team’s commitment to giving their utmost effort in every match.
Libero Agripina Kundu, preparing for her second Olympic appearance, expressed excitement about representing Kenya again but cautioned newcomers about the challenges they will face. She acknowledged the professionalism and experience of Olympic-level players, highlighting the opportunity for the team to learn and gain valuable experience from the competition.
As they prepare to compete on the global stage, Malkia Strikers remain focused on harnessing their strengths and improving their game to meet the challenges posed by the world’s best teams in Tokyo.
