As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games come to a close for the Malkia Strikers, the Kenyan women’s volleyball team has faced another tournament without securing a set win. Despite the disappointment of exiting the competition without a victory, the team has drawn valuable lessons and positive takeaways from their experiences.
The Strikers’ journey in Paris was marked by a series of challenging matches. Their campaign began with a straight-set defeat against Brazil (25-14, 25-13, 25-12), followed by another loss to Poland (25-14, 25-17, 25-15). In their final Group B match, they faced Japan, a team known for its speed and tactical prowess. The match ended in a 3-0 loss for Kenya, with set scores of 25-17, 25-22, and 25-12.
While the team’s performance did not meet the high expectations of many Kenyan volleyball fans, the tournament provided a platform for growth and opportunity. The standout player of the tournament, Kenya Pipeline attacker Pamela Adhiambo, has secured a two-year professional contract with Finnish club LP Vesti, a significant milestone for her career. Adhiambo’s performance highlighted the potential of Kenyan players on the global stage.
For the players like captain Trizah Atuka, Esther Mutinda, Emmaculate Nekesa, Belinda Barasa, Juliana Namutira, and Veronica Adhiambo, their Olympic debut has been a remarkable achievement in itself. Along with head coach Japheth Munala, they return to Kenya with the pride of having competed at the highest level of international sports.
Assistant coach Josp Baraza, while acknowledging the team’s efforts, emphasizes the need for technological and strategic improvements. “It’s really disappointing that our wait for a set victory at the Olympics continues. This is a big concern to us, but I think we need to improve on our preparations and play high-profile friendlies,” Baraza told Standard Sports. He pointed out that Kenya’s technical bench, which consists of only three members, is far smaller compared to the larger and more specialized teams they faced, like Japan. Baraza advocates for a more scientific approach to training and the inclusion of additional experts to enhance the team’s performance.
Captain Trizah Atuka echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for continued exposure and preparation. “We really tried and gave a good account of ourselves against Japan, but results didn’t come our way. Japan were very fast and good with their back defense,” Atuka said. She believes that the experience gained from competing against top teams is invaluable and will aid in future development. The visibility of players like Sharon Chumba and Veronica Adhiambo in Europe indicates the potential for Kenyan talent to make significant strides in the sport.
Former national men’s volleyball captain and current Parliamentary Sports Committee chairman Dan Wanyama praised the team’s achievements. “It is the first time the team has gone past the 20-point mark at the Games. That’s quite incredible,” Wanyama noted, suggesting that the Malkia Strikers’ performance, though not resulting in a set win, showed progress from previous outings.
National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) president Paul Tergat also recognized the team’s efforts. “Although Malkia didn’t progress to the next round, they have given their best. The future is bright,” Tergat stated.
Looking ahead, preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will be crucial. With many of the current players still young, there is hope that with better preparation and exposure, the Malkia Strikers can build on their experiences and rise to new heights in future competitions.
