During the opening day for the Paul Bitok International Volleyball Game in Nairobi, the women’s volleyball teams from GSU and Kenya Pipeline recorded impressive victories.
Games were played in Kasarani Sports Arena, Ulinzi Sports Complex Arenas, and Nyayo Stadium as the first competition, which featured top men’s and women’s teams, got off to a strong start.
In the men’s division, Kenya Pipeline defeated KDF Women’s Team 3-0 in Pool ‘A’ at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, while the paramilitary team defeated KAPU Club 3-0 in straight sets of 25-16, 25-7, and 25-14 in POOL B at Nyayo Gymnasium to advance to the quarterfinals after an earlier walkover from visitors RwandaAir, who failed to show up for their Pool ‘A’ opening match.
The David Lungáho-led Kenya Prisons squad will play GSU in the round of eight tomorrow after the latter placed second to KDF Men’s team in Pool ‘D’.
In other outcomes, defending champions KCB defeated Nairobi Prisons in Pool “B” with a score of 3-0 sets before defeating Post Bank in Kasarani by the same margin, and DCI defeated Nairobi Water 3-1 sets at the same location.
The bankers captain Edith Wisa, who was ruled out of the competition following an injury expressed her support to the team’s fighting spirit.
“I am right behind the team morally and spiritually as I am not able to be with them on the pitch. We have all it takes to be champions in this tournament. It is for us to believe in ourselves and go for it,” said Wisa.
With three victories in a row, KCB presently leads group B with six points.
Japheth Munala, the head coach, was quick to praise his team for the outstanding performance.
“I am overjoyed with today’s two victories. We have been practicing hard in order to be ready for the upcoming leg and the African Club Championship after our league defeat. As we work to secure the title after the event, this tournament has arrived at the perfect time for us to put our team to the test and strengthen it.
The three-day tournament’s winners take home Sh. 100,000, while the losers in both categories take home Sh. 50,000.
The festival, which began today, will conclude on April 9.
