Mulinge hopeful of early preparations as Kenya wins volleyball appeal

Kenya women’s beach volleyball tactician Sammy Mulinge feels that both the men and women national teams should be in camp by February in preparations for the repeat Olympics qualifiers following approval by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). 

Kenya’s Continental Cup and subsequent Tokyo Olympics hopes had been crushed in May 2020 after FIVB threw out an appeal for repeat qualifiers.

Kenya had failed to honor the second round matches in Banjul, Gambia for the men’s teams and Abuja, Nigeria for the women due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions that had been imposed by the government.

However, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), in a statement on Monday morning, said that Kenya’s appeal had been granted and repeat qualifiers are scheduled for March or early April.

“Following our appeal for the repeat of second round Beach Volleyball Olympic qualifiers due to the Covid-19 related travel restrictions imposed on some teams which included Kenyan teams, I am pleased to report that the FIVB has approved a repeat of the women BVB qualifiers.

This qualification event will take place in Nigeria either in late March or early April 2021. We remain hopeful that a repeat of the men’s event will also be granted,” read the statement.

Mulinge believes the team will need more time to train as players are coming off a long layoff occasioned by Covid-19.

Additionally, the 2020 team had some players who lack experience playing beach volleyball and they need more preparation time.