Players from the Kenya Pipeline Women Volleyball Club have been selected to join the provisional Malkia Strikers team. The Kenya Volleyball Federation has chosen these athletes to represent Kenya in the 2024 Challenger Cup, set to take place in Manila, Philippines. The team departed yesterday, full of hope and determination.
The Malkia Strikers, captained by Kenya Pipeline’s own Trizah Atuka, are the sole African representatives in the Challenger Cup. The four-day tournament, starting on July 4, promises to be a rigorous contest. However, Atuka expressed confidence in her team’s abilities, stating, “The KPC team is exceptionally talented, and I am confident that our players will add great value to the Malkia Strikers squad set to represent Kenya and Africa at large in the upcoming games.”
The selected KPC players are:
- Trizah Atuka: Middle Blocker and Captain
- Leonida Kasaya: Outside Hitter
- Emmaculate Nekesa: Setter
- Loice Simiyu: Opposite Player
- Pamela Adhiambo: Opposite Player
- Agripina Kundu: Libero
Adding to this powerhouse lineup, volleyball superstar Janet Wanja, now a fitness instructor at KPC, will also be part of the team competing in the Challenger Cup and the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The Malkia Strikers’ participation in the Challenger Cup marks a significant milestone as they prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games. Being the only African team at the Olympics, they are set to compete in Pool B against formidable opponents, including Brazil, Poland, and Japan.
Despite the challenges ahead, the Malkia Strikers are undeterred. With strong team dynamics and an unwavering spirit, they are poised to make a significant impact both in Manila and on the Olympic stage. As Captain Atuka aptly put it, they are ready to “spike their way to the Volleyball Nations League set to take place in Łódź, Poland.”
The Kenyan volleyball community and fans across Africa will undoubtedly be cheering for the Malkia Strikers, hoping for stellar performances and historic victories. Their journey symbolizes not only the strength of Kenyan volleyball but also the potential of African sports on the global stage.
