Team Kenya are confident of reclaiming the women’s volleyball title at the ongoing East Africa Community Inter-Parliamentary Games in Mombasa.
Despite falling 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-14) to defending champions Uganda in the opening game, Kenya’s captain Faith Gitau exuded confidence that they will reclaim the title they lost in Rwanda last year after finishing fourth.
“This is a small setback. We have lost the opening game but that should not worry us. That is a wake-up call. We want to bounce back in the next match. We want to win all our games all the way to the final,” she said.
“We are going to improve on our receiving and blocking before the next game. The weather also affected us since we have been training in a high altitude area, but we have now acclimatised.”
Kenya’s next match is against Burundi on Tuesday.
On Kenya’s perennial rivalry with Uganda, Gitau, the Nyandarua Woman Representative, said: “There are no fights any more. The competition is cordial nowadays. These games are not only about competition but an opportunity to integrate with our colleagues from EAC partner states.”
Ugandan captain, Hellen Nakimuli,
echoed Gitau’s sentiments, highlighting the event’s unique ability to unite
legislators through sports.
“The games provide an opportunity for us to connect beyond legislative chambers, promoting collaboration and mutual understanding,” she noted.
Athletics takes centre stage on Monday at Mbaraki Sports Club where the MPs will compete in 400m, 100m, 1500m and 4x100m relay for men and women.
In men’s volleyball, champions Kenya face Tanzania. Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, a former national team skipper, said they are keen to extend their dominance.
“We have won all volleyball trophies since the introduction of the sport in the EALA games and I am confident we shall retain our title. We have prepared adequately,” noted the MP.