Support men’s national volleyball team

The national men’s volleyball team, Wafalme, must strive for a strong performance at the Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championship, which starts tomorrow in Tunis, Tunisia. A lot is at stake at the 16-team championship. The winners will earn a direct ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, while the top three will qualify for the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup in Poland.

Kenyans are hoping Wafalme will emulate their women counterparts, Malkia Strikers, who finished second at the just-concluded Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship in Nairobi.

Malkia Strikers may have missed out on qualification for the 2028 Olympics after losing 3-0 to Egypt, but they had already secured a place at the 2027 FIVB Women’s World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States and Canada.

The Strikers have competed at the Olympics four times and will be making their sixth appearance at the World Cup. They have also featured at the Women’s World Championship eight times.

Wafalme, by contrast, are still chasing their maiden appearance at all three global events, as well as their first podium finish at the continental championship.

Their best performance came in 1995 in Tunis, where they finished sixth in a six-team tournament. They also finished ninth in the last two editions, in Kigali in 2021 and Cairo in 2023.

The team, under coach Gideon Tarus, can improve on that record if the players combine hard work, discipline and self-belief.

However, Kenya must rethink how Wafalme are prepared for major international competitions. The Kenya Volleyball Federation, government and National Olympic Committee of Kenya must provide adequate training, competitive build-up matches and proper welfare.

It is unacceptable that the team entered this championship without adequate build-up matches and with allowances not fully paid.

Kenya cannot expect world-class performances while failing to provide world-class preparation and basic welfare. Wafalme deserve better support if they are to end their long wait for continental and global success.