This archive report was first published on 17 December 2019.
Kenya's national volleyball team, the Malkia Strikers, is set to face a stiff competition in the Africa Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifiers, scheduled for January 2-10 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
According to coach Paul Bitok, the team is facing a selection dilemma, with 17 players currently in camp, leaving him to choose only 14 for the qualifiers.
Bitok, who won the African Games in Rabat, Morocco, is impressed with the level of competition in the team, particularly among middle blockers and setters.
"The competition is stiff especially among middle blockers and setters. I have five middle blockers who are on the same level so it's now down to statistics to decide who makes the team," said Bitok after Tuesday's morning training session at Kasarani Indoor Arena.
Bitok has also urged the government to facilitate early travel of the team to acclimatise to weather conditions in Yaoundé, citing the importance of getting into the competition mood early.
Kenya will battle for the slot reserved for Africa with Cameroon, Egypt, Mauritius, and Botswana.
