Two deaf teams (men and women) will feature in the 2024-2025 Kenya Volleyball Federation leagues, organising secretary George Oronje has confirmed.
The women’s deaf team will feature in the 13-team top-tier league while the men’s side will play in the 14-team Division Two.
Also joining the women’s top-tier competition are Nyandarua-based Lipalike, Young Spikers and Vihiga.
The season serves off on October 31 at Kamukunji grounds in Nyeri.
“We are glad to have the deaf teams onboard. The difference (between volleyball and deaf volleyball) comes in officiating. We are currently training a few referees as we plan for their entry,” Oronje said.
“It’s not a (big) challenge since volleyball largely involves hand signals, though it heavily relies on the whistle.Additionally, we will have an interpreter to help spearhead the games. With the increased numbers, we expect a very competitive league.”
Prisons Kenya (men) and KCB (women) will seek to retain the titles they won this year.
They will have to outdo Prisons Western, NYS, GSU, KAPU, Department of Defence, Equity, Forest Service (KFS), Prisons Kenya, Kenya Army, Trailblazers, KPA, KDF, Prisons Nairobi, Prisons Rift Valley, Mt. Kenya Base Yetu and Administration Police.
The challengers in the women’s league are KPC, Postbank, Prisons Nairobi, KDF, Kenya Army, Young Spikers, Maranatha, Vihiga, Lipalike, Deaf, DCI and Prisons Kenya.
The men’s Division Two has, in addition to the Deaf team, Kenya Navy, Microspikers, Eldoret Water, Simlaw Seeds, Prisons Central, Prisons Coast, Kenyatta University, Engineers, RDU, Lang’ata High, Pamoja Tujijenge and The Beast.
The league will host 50 indoor and 50 outdoor matches across two legs, with the first leg in Nyeri and the second in Iten.
Two more indoor legs will be held at Nyayo Stadium and Moi Stadium, Kasarani, on February 21-25.
The league matches will follow a round-robin format as teams chase season-ending playoff slots (top eight).
The playoffs will be contested in a best-of-three series.
Runners-up Kenya Prisons begin their campaign against rivals Kenya Pipeline.
Prisons coach Josp Baraza said: “We have our targets set, not just for the national league but also the Africa Club Championships scheduled for May ( 2025 ). We’ve been training at Nairobi West Prisons though recent protests delayed our sessions since we had to fulfil our duties as officers.”