Kipchumba Karori Volleyball tournament kicks off in Eldoret

Kenya Volleyball Federation President Charles Nyaberi speaking during the launch of the tournament in Eldoret on Friday, December 13, 2024. MATHEWS NDANYI

The Kipchumba Kipchumba Karori International Volleyball tournament kicked off in Eldoret City with more than 172 teams participating.

President of the Kenya Volleyball Federation Charles Nyaberi presided over the launch of the event at the Eldoret National Polytechnic which is one of the venues.

“This is now one of the main volleyball events we have in this country with the largest number of teams participating,” said Nyaberi.

Nyaberi said the tournament is key in helping to tap talents since its inception several years ago.

The event is mainly sponsored by its patron lawyer Kipchumba Karori who is a Political Advisor and Secretary of Legislative Affairs at the State House and a betting firm.

The betting firm would use over Sh2.3m on the event who second venue is Wareng High School.

The tournament will run for three days with the finals set for Sunday.

Six teams from Uganda are participating in the event which Nyaberi said would be expanded further.

Organizers of the event led by founder and coordinator Paul Bitok and Shadrack Barno said they were happy with the turnout of teams at the event.

Kampala Capital City Authority team playing against NYS of Kenya on Friday, December 13, 2024

“We thank our patron and other sponsors including the Ministry of Sports for coming on board to ensure the success of the tournament,” said Barno.

He said such sporting events were critical in helping to strengthen national and regional cohesion.

Bitok said the tournament is aimed at building new talents and that among the 172 teams are 64 for the self-supporting and Mashinani (grassroot) teams which the patron was keen to support and develop.

Categories for participating teams include the men and women senior teams and the Mtaa self-supporting clubs.

The tournament also features Universities, colleges and schools categories.

Bitok said the tournament has previously produced more than ten professional volleyball players

A total of Sh3.6 million cash awards and trophies are to be given to winners with Sh500,000 for senior teams and Sh300,000 for the winners of the self-supporting teams category.

Karori is expected to grace the event on Saturday and during Sunday’s finals.

In the opening match NYS team played against Kampala Capital City Authority.