Nairobi, Kenya, October 22: The Kenyan national women’s team has stepped up its training in Japan as the clock ticks away to the World Championships.
The team of 12 players, assistant coach David Lung’aho and trainer Paul Bitok left Nairobi a week ago to set up camp at Akita, where they will train against top clubs before the World Championships get under way.
Speaking by telephone from Akita, Lung’aho said the girls were in high spirits.
“The mood in camp suggests they are going to perform well at the World Championships; the girls are raring to go. We are asking for Kenyans to keep on praying for the team,” said Lung’aho.
He pointed out that on arrival in Akita the team was received by Japanese head coach Sadatoshi Sugawara, who left Nairobi earlier to prepare for the training camp.
“Presently we are fine tuning the players, who all appear fit and ready for the battle ahead. All departments are functioning well and, with some luck this time round, we are determined to go beyond the first round,” Lung’aho said.
He pointed out that so far there were no injuries, and Sugawara was busy ensuring that the players maintained maximum fitness since that would play a very important role in their five Pool A matches.
He said reception, blocks and attacks had improved to the required standard and if the players remained focused the performance at this year’s World Championships would be better than it had been in the past where Kenya has not won even a single match.
Team captain Dorcas Ndasaba said the players were all set and ready to carry Kenya’s flag high. “The training we had in Nairobi at Karura and Kasarani together with the continuation at Akita has really shaped us and we are ready for the battle ahead,” said Ndasaba.
Speaking from Nairobi, former Kenya Volleyball Federation treasurer Fred Nasila pledged cash reward of Kshs 20,000 for every win and called on the players to go out and fight to the bitter end.
