Injured Malkia Strikers Ace Atuka Calls For Mental Strength Before Olympic Qualifiers
29th October 2019
This comes after continental volleyball governing body CAVB announced dates for the competition where the winner will punch ticket to the summer games
- Other countries who have confirmed their participation in the January 4 to 9 event are Algeria, DRC Congo, Egypt, Ghana and Nigeria
- Atuka urged the team to carry on with the same spirit that saw them defeat Cameroon to retain the Africa Games trophy in Rabat, Morocco two months ago
NAIROBI, Kenya- Malkia Strikers middle blocker Trizah Atuka has urged her team-mates to be mentally strong ahead of Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifiers slated for Yaunde, Cameroon in January.
This comes after continental volleyball governing body CAVB announced dates for the competition where the winner will punch ticket to the summer games.
“Apart from training hard, we need to be really mentally fit and strong to beat hosts Cameroon and stubborn Egypt.
“We need to prepare well because the qualifiers will be tough,” Atuka told SportPesa News on Tuesday.
Other countries who have confirmed their participation in the January 4 to 9 event are Algeria, DRC Congo, Egypt, Ghana and Nigeria.
Atuka, who features for Kenya Pipeline in the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Women’s League will miss the international meet after she picked a nasty knee injury in the seventh leg of the KVF league at Kapsabet Showgrounds in Nandi County on Saturday.
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She will also miss the national play-offs slated for MISC Kasarani on November 22 to 24 where her side will battle for slot to represent the country at the club continental showpiece next season.
“I’m currently admitted at the Nairobi Hospital where I’m receiving treatment. The doctor said I will be out of action for nine months, so I can only wish my team-mates all the best in the Olympic Qualifiers,” she underlined.
Atuka urged the team to carry on with the same spirit that saw them defeat Cameroon to retain the Africa Games trophy in Rabat, Morocco two months ago.
“The last time Kenya was at the Olympics was 2004, so bagging the ticket again will be really great because every player’s dream is to be an Olympian,” she underscored.