The veteran tactician feels Kenyan clubs have slackened for too long and it is time they wake up after FIVB readmitted Africa to the global tournament
Veteran volleyball coach David Lung’aho has advised Kenyan clubs to set up early camps in Europe and Asia if they have to make an impact at the World Club Championships in future.
African clubs were readmitted to the World Club Championships following changes made by world volleyball governing body FIVB last week with CAVB Africa club champions now allowed to feature in the global event, which will have eight teams eight teams up from six, starting next year.
The continent had been barred from participating in the World Championships owing to consistent poor performances and with Kenyan sides among favourites to feature at the event, former Kenya Prisons coach Lung’aho feels they have slackened for too long and its time to wake up.
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The sport’s governing body FIVB has increased participating teams to eight with the African champions set to be among them.
“The standards there are very high so we need to do quite a lot. If it was me, I would propose that when the teams are training for Africa Club Championships, if possible, those who have finances should go and camp in Europe and Asia, play build up matches so that they improve their stature otherwise training in Africa and going to the World Championships the results will be the same,” said Lung’aho.
“We need to step up, we don’t need to wait for someone to push us. We need as a country and as a continent to do our own way to see how we can improve. Like now, Kenya is doing it with Malkia Strikers but that is not enough.
“We need more and often trainings out of the country so that we expose our players more.”
Lung’aho was the last coach to take a Kenyan team to the World Championships when he led Kenya Prisons at the 2014 edition before Africa fell foul of the rules later.
It was the fifth appearance for the side at the global event and they are among the favourites to return now that the door has been opened again.
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The team was flagged off by Sports PS Peter Kiplagat Tum as they flew to Morocco for a residential camp ahead of the continental showpiece.
Besides Prisons, reigning Africa champions KCB and Kenya Pipeline are the other Kenyan women’s teams capable of winning the continental crown and earning a ticket to the World Championships.
KCB, the 2022 champions, will not feature at this year’s tournament, as the rules take effect next year, but they now have extra motivation to defend their title.