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Kenya: Volleyball - Scare in Cairo As Prisons' New Star is Taken Ill
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The Nation (Nairobi)
26 April 2008
Posted to the web 25 April 2008
Chris Musumba
Cairo
Kenya Prisons face an uphill task in their maiden show at the Africa women's volleyball championships after their centre player, Pauline Nyongesa, was taken ill on Friday, just hours after the team arrived in Cairo.
Prisons' team manager, David Kilundo, had a hectic time seeking medical attention for the youngster who is making her maiden trip abroad.
The Prisons team's management had to take her to a Cairo hospital where she spent the whole day being observed. She was said to be in no danger and is expected to recover and play a part in her team's campaign for the continental title.
Prisons' head coach, David Lung'aho, remained optimistic that she will be fit in time for the tournament's start at the Al Ahly Gymnasium.
Well covered
"She is an instrumental player and I look forward to seeing her recover quickly. However, we are well covered in the area as I have two other players to rely on if she doesn't recover in time," he said.
Nyongesa was understudying team captain Praxides Agala. Kenya Prisons are making their debut in the competition which is in its 22nd edition.
They qualified by clinching the premier league title, beating perennial campaigners Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Kenya Pipeline.
KCB are also in Cairo for the action and the club's coach, Paul Bitok, who is leading his side for the fifth time in a row to the competition, said he is keen to win the title back for Kenya.
KCB lost out in last year's contest, bowing out in the semi-final stage to Kenya Pipeline.
However, Pipeline lost in the final to Egyptian rivals, Al Ahly.
"This time round, the pressure in not on us. We are here to show that we are the best on the continent. Al Ahly face a huge task in trying to eliminate us," said Bitok, a former Kenya international.
Lung'aho, who took his team through light training on Friday, said they intend to use their underdog status to surprise many. He said their rivals should only take them for granted at their own peril.
No experience
"This is our first show outside Kenya. I know most of the teams here but the only disadvantage we have is that half of my team has no experience in such competitions," said Lung'aho.
Six of his players - Agala, Jane Wacu, Mercy Moim, Lydia Maiyo, Diana Khisa and Judith Tarus - have gained international exposure having represented Kenya at the World Championships in Japan in 2005.
Lung'aho is taking nothing for granted and has cautioned his players that they have a mountain to climb in their bid to be Africa Queens.
Nine teams are expected with seven having arrived in Cairo by early Friday.
Defending champions Al Ahly, Al-Shams (both of Egypt), Kenya Prisons, KCB, VC (DR Congo), Mauludia (Algeria), University of Nkumba (Uganda), Bajia Evolution (Cameroon) and Mafolofolo of Botswana are expected to lock horn in the quest for the tournament's bragging rights.
Drawing of lots
The technical meeting is set for Saturday where the drawing of lots will be conducted.
The clubs had light training to shake off the jet lag and acclimatise with the weekend's weather forecast for Cairo at 22 degrees Celsius.
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International referee John Odundo is accompanying the Kenyan teams while the Kenya Volleyball Federation's acting secretary general, Evans Wasike, is expected here on Sunday.
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