This archive report was first published on 8 May 2020.
Kenyan volleyball player Sila Kipruto's big dreams in Saudi Arabia have been dashed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 volleyball league was cancelled in March, and Kipruto's six-month contract with Al Jawa ended last month.
As of Thursday, Saudi Arabia had reported 30,251 COVID-19 cases, 200 deaths, and 5,431 recoveries. The Saudi Volleyball Federation had suspended the league following a directive from the General Sports Authority in March until further notice, with one month remaining to the end of the season.
"I was optimistic that the remaining league matches would be rescheduled for a later date, but it is sad that won't happen," Kipruto said. "Clubs down here have started mapping out the schedule for next season, which will start in October if the coronavirus is curbed."
Kipruto, a national and Kenya Prisons men's team player, is in regular communication with the Kenyan embassy in Saudi Arabia on travel arrangements. "Officials at the embassy have assured me of my return home, and that is comforting," he said. "Priority is being given to patients in India. I'm ready to undergo testing before travelling."
When Kipruto returns to Kenya, he plans to go back to Prisons and wait for the league to restart after it was put off in March due to the virus. "I'll play for Prisons as I wait for my next move. I hope the lessons I have picked here will be helpful," he said.
