Sande named new Malkia Strikers captain - Citizen Digital

FILE: Kenya Prisons' Outside Hitter Meldina Sande spikes the ball to score against Cameroon's Mayo Kani during the 2024 African Club Championship in Cairo, Egypt. Photo/ Courtesy KVF.

Rwandese side Police Volleyball Club’s left attacker Meldina Sande has been named Malkia Strikers Captain ahead of the FIVB World Championship slated for August in Thailand.

Sande, who previously played for Kenya Prisons, will be assisted by veteran Kenya Pipeline and Malkia Strikers regular middle blocker Gladys Ekaru who recently made a comeback to the national team.

The two will be replacing Kenya Pipeline’s Trizah Atuka and KCB’s Edith Wisa who were overlooked in the new-look Malkia Strikers squad, which has a pool of young and a few experienced players.

This follows the 28 year-old’s remarkable season in Rwanda where she won the Most Valuable Player in their recently concluded season.

Sande moved to Rwanda for her first professional stint last year after a decorated six seasons with Kenya Prisons, a move that saw his meteoric rise, becoming too good to be overlooked by head coach Geoffrey Omondi unlike his predecessors.

Her journey to the top started when she was scouted by legendary former Malkia Strikers coach David Lung’aho during a tournament in Teso in 2017, and she subsequently joined Kenya Prisons.

She then joined the club’s Training College and rose through the ranks before making her bow for the Wardresses in 2018.

The captaincy role shows how vital Sande is to Omondi who is in the process of rebuilding the 10-times African champions.

The former Lugulu Girls alumnus had last for last featured for the national team during the 2022 FIVB World Championships in the Netherlands before making a comeback to the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 where she remained an unused substitute.

Malkia Strikers are pooled in Group G alongside former European champions Poland, Germany and Vietnam for the Thailand fiesta.