Pipeline, GSU win volleyball leagues in Kenya
Nairobi, Monday November 20: Former African Women Volleyball Club champions Kenya Pipeline over the weekend successfully retained the national women volleyball league in Kenya.
While Pipeline stunned Kenya Commercial Bank 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-17) sets in the finals to retain the women title, General Service Unite (GSU) were not left behind when they swept past Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) 3-1 in the finals to retain the men’s title.
Pipeline who were in a class of their own buoyed by national team regulars led by Catherine Wanjiru, Lucy Chege, Leonidas Kamende and veteran Judy Serenge sparkled in all departments as they went on to beat KCB hands down.
Speaking after the match, Pipeline coach David “Demosh” Lung’aho said he was sure of victory after taking the opening set since his players were playing according to instructions.
“This was one match we surely deserved to win as my players had confidence and they wanted to assure their fans that our lose to KCB during the Club Championships in Mauritius early this year was just due to bad luck,” said Lung’aho.
Apart from Pipeline ladies, KCB who are the Africa Club Championships title holders will also take part in next year’s African Club Championships which they won after beating Egypt’s Al Ahly in the finals in Mauritius early this year. They swept past Pipeline 3-2 on their way to a historic victory over the dreaded Egyptian side in the finals.
In the men’s category, defending champions GSU made mince meat of Kenya Commercial Bank in the finals when they stormed to a 3-1 victory in a thrilling final match to retain the title.
While congratulating Pipeline and GSU for retaining the titles, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) President Waithaka Kioni called on local clubs which have qualified to represent the country in next year’s continental tournaments to start early preparations.
“Experience has shown that when teams fail to prepare early for continental tournaments the result is always disastrous as such I am calling upon all those clubs who have qualified to represent the country in continental tournaments next year to embark on early preparations,” said Kioni.
The KVF boss also congratulated all teams, coaches, referees and officials who participated in the league this season making it a success adding the federation will ensure that next season’s fixtures are drawn in good time so that participating teams can start early preparations. He also commended KVF national and branch officials for their support and co-operation during the just ended season.
He revealed that KVF through its marketing company were busy looking for sponsors which will come on board to fund their activities among them development of volleyball from the youth level up to national teams level.



From Jack Kwemba in Nairobi, Kenya