Volleyball…Beijing 2008

It’s a few days later but I’ve found some interesting information regarding the Kenyans women Volleyball Team. Previously there was an article posted regarding the fact that the Kenyan Federation would not interfere with selections. Two days ago the dropped their former Captain, Dorcus Ndasaba, who is widely renowned to be the best attacker to come out of Kenya, and apparently too old. The federation did this, and the coaches had no knowledge. That in itself showing that the Kenyan Volleyball team is run by politics. As you could expect there was a lot of uproar from the team and officials. Today she has flown to Japan with the team after being reinstated. Ndasaba was also the player who stood up to the Federation recently demanding the players see their share of the 1 million  dollars given to the from the President for their African Championship winning performance and constantly fights for their welfare. Its seems teh KVF was uneasy having her as captain and around the team. The reason stated was the desire to bring youth into the team. Ndasaba was also the MVP of the recent African Championships.

Here are snippets from three articles in order of when they came out. Courtesy of the Eastern Standard.

Oct28-I say this because Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) chiefs are taking Kenyans for granted. They are not gullible enough to buy the explanation that Ndasaba and her Kenya Commercial Bank team-mate Mildred Odwako are old and should give way for younger players in the national team. It would have made sense had it been handled with open mind.

But the manner and circumstances under which Ndasaba and Odwako were dropped raises eyebrows.

Catherine Wanjiru, whom KVF chairman Waithaka Kioni has been propping for the captaincy in place of Ndasaba, is 29. Which begs the question: What is the retirement age set by KVF?

Kenya national women’s hockey team captain, Helen Chemtai put it thus: Has KVF suddenly woken up to the realisation that Ndasaba is old?

Ndasaba’s tribulations started when she stood firm and, on behalf of the players, demanded that KVF hands over the Sh1million reward given to the team by President Kibaki three weeks ago in Eldoret.

There was an attempt to deduct part of the money, but Ndasaba would not hear of it. Which, as Chemtai states, every captain worth his/her salt, is bound to do. If a captain turns against the very team whose interest he/she is elected to champion, then the most logical thing to do is quit the position and join the officials.

It was not the first time Ndasaba stood against KVF. She questioned KVF’s decision to impose its over-bearing decisions on the national team last year.

Age is but a number, and Ndasaba has demonstrated this by being voted the most valuable player in the recent continental championships in which she led Kenya to secure a berth in the World Cup in Japan. Read more

Oct28-

KVF chairman, Waithaka Kioni, said the removal of Ndasaba from the team was part of their programme to phase out older players and develop a team of the future.

Choruses of condemnation were led by recently elected Coast KVF secretary, Ben Juma Chepkechir who termed the move ‘shocking’.

“The element of nepotism in the national KVF office should be removed. Has Ndasaba become too old now that she was to travel to Japan?” He posed.

Men’s national team assistant coach Moses Epoloto said the move was ill-timed and wondered how KVF discovered that Ndasaba was old with less than a week to the World Cup.

“This is not the time to replace aged players in the team. They (KVF) should have done that long time ago and not when a major tournament is around the corner,” Epoloto told Sunday Standard on Saturday.

“KVF should have replaced Ndasaba gradually and not suddenly as they have done,” said the coach.

Former women’s national hockey team captain, Helen Chemtai, asked players and coaches to stand up and defend Ndasaba as she fearlessly fought for their welfare.

“My query to the officials is why do we have captains? And to the coaches and players: What are they doing to have Ndasaba back?” Chemtai posed.

“It was only two months ago that they asked her not to retire. Didn’t they know that she was old,” Chemtai asked. Read more

OCT 30- Speaking on Monday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before their departure, the apparently demoralised former captain said she was fit and glad to be back to the team and promised to play well as she had done before. But she ruled out accepting her former position as the team’s captain. “I can’t accept to be back as captain,” said Ndasaba, who did not elaborate.

To have Ndasaba back in the team, the right position player, Asha Makuto had to be dropped.

The team coach, Sammy Kirongo, said she would be called back for preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Team manager and Kenya Volleyball Federation First Vice Chairman, Martin Makokha, said Ndasaba was not recalled to the team due to any external pressure, but after a second thought since she had done a lot for Kenya hence she needed a honourable send-off.

“After a second thought, the KVF had to recall Ndasaba because she had done a lot for Kenya and therefore she needed a honourable send-off,” said Makokha.

He reiterated that it was necessary to expose younger talents to such tournaments hence older players had to pave way.

“It is necessary to expose younger talents to such tournaments and certain players have to give room for others to show their talents,” added Makokha.

Kirongo said he was happy that Ndasaba was back to the team and that her presence would boost the morale of the team. Read more

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 at 8:11 am and is filed under Kenya. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.