2006 Volleyball World Championships:

Kenya intensifies training at Nakita in Japan

Nairobi, Kenya, October 22-: The Kenyan national women volleyball team that is currently training at Nakita in Japan has intensified their training as the clock ticks away to the World Championships.
The team of 12 players and assistant coach David Lung’aho along with trainer Paul Bitok left Nairobi a week ago to set camp at Nakita where they will train against top clubs before the World Championships throws off.
Speaking on telephone from Nakita, Lung’aho who last year successfully guided Kenya through the World Championships qualifiers in Nairobi and African Cup of Nations in Abuja said the girls are in high spirit.
“The mood in camp in Nakita is that of going to perform well at the World Championships and the girls are rearing to go. What we are asking Kenyans is to keep on praying for the team,” said Lung’aho.
He pointed out that on arrival in Nakita the team was received by Japanese born head coach Sadatoshi Sugawara who left Nairobi earlier to go and prepare for the team’s training in Nakita.
“Presently we are fine tuning the players who all appear fit and ready for the battle ahead. All departments are functioning well and with some luck this time round we are determined to go beyond the first round,” Lung’aho said.
He pointed out that so far there were no injuries in the team and Sugawara was busy ensuring that the players maintain maximum fitness since that will play a very important role when they take on their opponents in their group stage which include hosts Japan, Chinese Taipei, Costa Rica and Poland.
He said reception, blocks and attacks has improved to the required standard and if the players remain focused the performance at this year’s World Championships will be better than it has been in the past where Kenya has not won even a single match.
Team captain Dorcas Ndasaba said the players in the team were all set and ready to carry Kenya’s flag high. “The training we had in Nairobi at Karura and Kasarani together with the continuation at Nakita has really shaped us and we are ready for the battle ahead,” said Ndasaba.
Speaking from Nairobi, former Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) National Treasurer Fred Nasila pledged cash reward of Kshs 20,000 for every win and called on the players to go out and fight to the bitter end.
By Jack Kwemba in Nairobi, Kenya