Gitau sets conditions for pro-clubs interested in Pipeline players

Gitau confirmed professional clubs had already earmarked three of his stars but he was adamant to release them until the interested outfits offer substantial deals to the players.

The trio are hard-hitting left attacker Pamela Adhiambo, Gladys Ekaru and opposite hitter Miriam Chelimo-who all played crucial roles to help Kenya Pipeline reach this year African Women’s Club Championship final in Tunisia.

Gitau spoke during the LG/SJAK Player of the Month Awards where Adhiambo, alongside World Cross-Country 10km champion Beatrice Chebet, Tokyo Marathon winner Rosemary Wanjiru and London Marathon champion Kelvin Kiptum were feted by the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya and LG Electronics for their exemplary performances in the months of January, February, March and April.

“I’m not against my players’ wish to play professionally but what I’m against is deals which are not sustainable to the players. We’ve agents who have expressed interest in my players but I must also ensure that the deals are not just four or five months, we want a three-year contract deals.”

Other Kenya Pipeline players who have turned professional are outside hitter Veronica Adhiambo who recently signed a two-year contract with Greece volleyball Club GS Panionios and Violet Makuto who joined Al Wasl of United Arab Emirates (UAE) side last year.

Malkia Strikers assistant captain Noel Murambi also joined Cyprus Division A side Lemesos Volleyball Club on a season-long deal last November.

Gitau however alleged that Murambi and Makuto had since resigned from their parent company.

“The two signed four-month deals and then resigned from the company. This has put them in an awkward situation and I don’t want this to happen again. That’s why I’m very keen on the pro deals which are being tabled."

The Oilers, who jetted back to the country on Wednesday morning, lost 3-1 sets in the final against Zamalek of Egypt in the Monday continental showdown.