NAIROBI, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya women's volleyball team coach has dropped six players from their training camp in Nairobi as the team makes its final preparations ahead of the World Championships in Japan in September.
Head coach Japheth Munala wants the country to pay for a two-week training camp in Europe or Asia to help them have solid competition and gauge their preparation ahead of the competition.
Speaking in Nairobi, Munala said the team will be ready in time for the competition.
"The girls are sharp in training and look ready for the assignment ahead. But we require a real challenge in international friendly matches, which are expensive and hard to come by. It is our prayer that the government will allow us to set camp abroad so as to play teams in Asia and Europe on our way to Japan," said Munala on Thursday in Nairobi.
Kenya is returning to the World Championships for the first time in eight years.
In 2010, Kenya was only able to beat their continental rivals Algeria. However in the meantime, Kenya has been able to improve and beat Puerto Rico and Peru.
Kenya, who finished second to Cameroon during the Africa Nations Cup tournament is in Pool D, together with giants Serbia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Kazakhstan.
Hosts Japan are paired with the Netherlands, Argentina, Germany, Cameroon and Mexico in Pool A.
Olympic champions China and Italy will take on Turkey, Bulgaria, Canada and Cuba in Pool B. In Pool C, reigning world champions the USA will face Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Azerbaijan and Trinidad and Tobago.
Munala has since been forced to cut six players from his initial 28 and will now have 22 in his camp before dropping another six to have the final 14 that will travel to Japan.
The six who have been shown the door include Eglay Kuloba, Lincy Jeruto, Nancy Mulonza, Jane Mumbua, Josephine Wafula and Caren Cheruto.
"They are good players and represent the future of volleyball in Kenya. But we had to let them go to focus on the remaining team. As the technical bench we would have wished to have more players in the camp to train," said Munala.
Some of the youth players who have staked a claim for a place in the side are Jemima Siangu, Lorine Chebet, Sharon Chepchumba and Caroline Sirengo. But they face an uphill battle to uproot veterans Mercy Moim, Jane Wacu and Janet Wanja.
