Malkia Strikers have been forced to change their program ahead of the upcoming 2023 FIVB Volleyball World Championship scheduled to take place from September 23 to October 15 in Netherlands and Poland due to lack of funds.
According to Malkia Strikers tactician Paul Bitok, the Kenyan government is yet to sponsor the national team.
“We have managed to train for the last two months here in Sao Paulo city in Brazil under the sponsorship of FIVB with other partner sponsors. However, we are struggling with other issues that the government is yet to sponsor the team.
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“We therefore, request the ministry of sports to pay the pending allowances and other remaining bills to enable the team to focus on training so as to get the best performance in the forthcoming world championships,” read a statement from Bitok.
The former Kenyan international further disclosed that financial constraints have stopped the Kenyan queens from returning home and spending time with their loved ones.
“We couldn’t come back as planned before the 5th of September 2022 since the circumstances gave us no choice and so we had to adjust with the new program.
“The team really wants to come home and see their families since they have been away from home for long,” added Bitok.
Malkia Strikers have spent over two months in Brazil preparing for the World Championships. Prior to their trip to the South American nation on June 25, the team also faced financial challenges until a local betting firm came to their rescue.
Bitok also congratulated President-elect William Ruto and requested his upcoming government to sponsor Malkia Strikers.
“We as Malkia Strikers take this opportunity to congratulate former Volleyball player H.E William Ruto, President-elect who once hosted the same team when they won the Grand Prix.
“We strongly believe his government will sponsor team Malkia Strikers in the forthcoming competitions and we wish him all the best,” ended Bitok.
The Kenyan queens will start their World Championships campaign against hosts Netherlands. Other teams in their group include Puerto Rico, Cameroon, Italy and Belgium.
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