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Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Salim Mvurya, on Friday officially flagged off the Kenya U20 Women’s Volleyball team ahead of their departure to Yaoundé, Cameroon, for the 2025 African U20 Championships.
The tournament, which is scheduled to run from tomorrow to 12, also serves as the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIVB World Championships. Kenya, under the guidance of head coach Jackline Barasa, will face off against a competitive lineup of teams including hosts Cameroon, Egypt, Uganda, Burundi, Morocco, and Senegal.
CS Mvurya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting youth development through sport, expressing optimism about the team’s chances.
“We have supported the team and we will continue to do so. As a government, we hope you qualify for the World Championships.”
Kenya Volleyball Federation Technical Director Paul Bitok highlighted the broader vision behind the team’s participation, noting that the U20 competition marks a revival of Kenya’s presence at the junior global stage.
“It has been a long time since our junior team qualified for the World Championships. The last time was in 2008 in Mexico. This is a long-term project, and our plan is that this team represents us at the 2028 Olympics.”
The team will be spearheaded by Kenya Cup Most Valuable Player (MVP) Terry Maline Tata and features players drawn from top local clubs such as Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Prisons, alongside a group of promising talents from secondary schools. The 12-member squad has been in residential training for the past three weeks.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Daisy Chepkirui expressed the squad’s readiness for the competition.
“We have had good training for the last three weeks that we’ve been in camp. We are ready to beat any side in the Championships. It’s our first national assignment for most of us, and we are more than psyched up. We have no pressure,we just want to win the title,” she said.
Coach Barasa praised the players’ adaptability despite early challenges in camp, noting that most of the girls arrived late due to school commitments and had to quickly adjust to a unified system of play.
“It was a challenge to get the girls to blend because they come from different schools and have different coaching backgrounds, but I’m glad we managed to gel in time,” said Barasa.
Seven teams have so far confirmed participation in the tournament, with the top three finishers earning tickets to the 2026 World Championships.
Kenya U20 Women’s Volleyball Team:
1. Sheila Khasandi
2. Isabellah Nafula
3. Sharon Jepkogei Arusei
4. Mary Nanjala
5. Eddah Jepkemei
6. Benta Akoth Oluoch
7. Daisy Chepkirui Sirisia
8. Sharon Ruth Omondi
9. Terry Maline Tata
10. Daisy Chepleting
11. Milka Akinyi Apuoyo
12. Patricia Chemtai
13.
©Citizen Digital, Kenya
