Malkia Strikers gear for international friendlies

The national women's volleyball team head coach Paul Bitok believes participating in the forthcoming friendly matches in Morocco and later the International Challenger Cup in France will help polish his charges as they angle for a slot in next year's Olympic games to be held in Paris, France.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) will sponsor the team's trips for the assignments.

Bitok pointed out that the competition will greatly help the team as they strive to qualify for the Olympic competition in Paris in France next year.

Last year Malkia Strikers camped in Brazil and Serbia before the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship that was held in the Netherlands and Poland.

“We secured the sponsorship for Malkia Strikers which we will be disclosing. The team will be away for two weeks in Morocco and also to play in the France challenger, “said Bitok.

Bitok has at the same time hailed the impact of fallen volleyball federation boss Waithaka Kioni on the sport.

The long-serving volleyball boss breathed his last, last week.

 “Mr Kioni was a unique person; he had very good connections both locally and internationally. I remember he made Malkia Strikers be in a very comfortable situation,” added Bitok.

The 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women's Challenger Cup will be the fourth edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women's Challenger Cup, an annual women's international volleyball tournament contested by 8 national teams that acts as a qualifier for the FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League. The last tournament was held at Krešimir Ćosić Hall in Zadar, Croatia between 28 to 31 July 2022 and was won by the host defeating Belgium in the final.