NAIROBI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan men's volleyball clubs, facing lack of facilities and other obstacles in their preparations, are bracing for Africa club championships slated for April 16-28 in Tunisia.
Kenya Prisons men's team head coach David Lungaho told Xinhua on Tuesday, "The team has been training so well for the past one month and we will improve on our performance at the continental level and hopefully finish within the medal bracket."
The tournament was initially set for Egypt, but the country failed to commit to hosting the event, prompting the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) to grant Tunisia hosting both the men's and the women's club championships.
Lungaho, who is seeking to emulate the success story of their female counterparts in the forthcoming CAVB African club tourney, admitted that they are disadvantaged compared with clubs in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.
Kenya will be represented by Kenya Prisons, General Service Unit (GSU) and debutant Kenya Ports Authority.
The clubs have laid the groundwork ahead of the championship but the officials cry foul over the lack of training facilities in the country which have affected their performance on the big stage over the years compared with their North African counterparts.
"Lack of indoors training facilities has been our setbacks, both for men and women. We only have one indoor facility in Nairobi and another one in Mombasa. It has hindered our performance over the years," Lungaho added.
The northern Africa clubs also have an edge over the rest of Africa nations having had many playing opportunities in the Middle East and Arabs tournaments. A fact Kenya Prisons right-attacker Mike Chemos says has contributed to the growth of the sport in those countries.
Al Ahly of Egypt is the most successful volleyball club in Africa, having claimed 14 African men's volleyball club titles. Enditem
